TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing lead from the roof of the De Tabley Arms in Ribchester.

The police helicopter was called and dogs searched the area on Sunday morning after reports of men on the roof of the inn in Ribchester Road.

Two men, aged 26 and 19, both from Preston, were arrested and later released on police bail until November 2.

Police cordoned off the area whilst they conducted a search around the once popular pub and restaurant, which closed its doors in December 2005.

A planning application has been submitted to Ribble Valley Borough Council to convert the pub into six flats.