A popular restaurant has been forced to close after a fire, it has emerged.
It is thought that the smouldering contents of an ashtray which were tipped into a bin were responsible for the fire at the Fratellis restaurant at the Angel Hotel in Market Place, Bourne.
Firefighters were on the scene shortly after the first flames were spotted, but the blaze was so intense that the street had to be closed by police.
The 55-seat restaurant suffered damage to a two metre area of the floor in its bar section and severe fire and soot damage to the ground and first floors.
Philip Femminile, owner of Fratellis, told the Rutland & Stamford Mercury: "Thankfully the fire was small and contained and the restaurant had already closed for the evening.
"My staff acted calmly and quickly and the firemen were fabulous."
The restaurant has had to be closed for redecoration and will only open again to the general public on June 1st.
