A HUGE blaze which tore through a Cheshire country house wedding venue was caused by an electrical fault, fire chiefs have concluded.

The fire, which started shortly before 8.30pm on January 12, caused extensive damage to the roof and several floors of the historic Tilstone House near Tarporley, but nobody was injured.

Police had to close the A51 in both directions around the 19th century mansion in Nantwich Road, Tilstone Fearnall, while crews battled the flames well into the night.

Ten fire engines from Tarporley, Nantwich, Chester, Winsford, Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Northwich, along with an aerial appliance from Chester, were sent to the scene at the height of the incident.

Following an investigation by the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cheshire Police have now confirmed that 'the most probable cause was an electrical fault'.

Although the blaze caused extensive damage to the timber-framed building, firefighters were able to recover a large amount of furniture.

Crews finally left the scene on January 16 and the building was handed back over to the owner.