The blaze began outside St Edmund's Church in The Street, Old Costessey, at about 4.10pm on March 24.

Contractors had been cutting down trees in the churchyard earlier in the day, leaving branches on the ground.

These pieces of wood were then set on fire by an unknown party, engulfing nearby shrubbery in flames and damaging the church sign.

Police have since confirmed the investigation into the incident, which has since been closed, was classed as arson, not endangering life.

No one was injured as a result of the blaze, which firefighters extinguished by 4.25pm.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "All lines of enquiry have been exhausted and the case has been closed.

"Of course, we would always review any new information provided to us."

© Norwich Evening News