Fire has torn through a Kessingland restaurant overnight, causing extensive smoke damage and spreading to the roof.

The blaze, which took around 20 firefighters to extinguish, broke out at the Waterfront restaurant on Beach Road at just after 1am and took more than two hours to be brought under control.

Two fire engines from Lowestoft South, one from North Lowestoft and one from Wrentham attended the scene, after a neighbour living nearby raised the alarm.

A Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: 'It was hectic. The fire caused extensive smoke damage to the restaurant, which the fire spreading to the roof.

'We had to strip the roof to access the fire, so it is heavily damaged.'

Firefighters took almost two-and-a-half hours to bring the flames under control, with the blaze extinguished at just before 3.20am.

A spokesman for the restaurant - which specialises in Spanish and Mediterranean dishes - posted on its Facebook page urging anybody with current bookings to get in touch as soon as possible.

The post said: 'We currently have no phone lines, if you need to get hold of us please do so via Facebook or call 07540443867. If anyone has any upcoming bookings with us please contact us as soon as possible.'

A full investigation into the cause of the fire is due to be held later today - Wednesday, November 22.

A spokesman for the restaurant said it was 'still early days' for assessing the implications and did not wish to comment further at this stage.