Firefighters were called to a suspected arson at a new chicken shop which is due to open today.

The crew from Croydon fire station were called to the new branch of Morley's Fried Chicken on Mitcham Road, Croydon, at 1.51am.

A fire officer said they had been called to the scene an hour earlier to put out rubbish that had been set alight.

The officer said: " A burnt plastic bottle that was holding an accelerant had been put in front of the shop front.

"Several attempts had been made to set fire to the shop grills, but none of them had taken."

No-one was injured in the fire and the store is expected to open as planned today.

Firefighters handed over the incident to the police who are investigating.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.