A Felixstowe pub owner has vowed to reopen this evening after a fire forced staff to flee the building at lunchtime today.

Four fire appliances were called to the small fire at the Mariners in Trimley at around 1.40pm today after a dryer in a first floor room caught alight but the emergency crews soon had the situation under control.

The High Road was closed both ways for a short while the incident was dealt with by two crews from Felixstowe and another two from Ipswich.

Melissa Allen, co-owner of the Mariners, told Nub News: "There was a small fire in an upstair room but everyone got out quickly and safely.

"We are back in the pub and plan to open at 5.30pm today and look forward to having everyone back as usual.

"The fire brigade were brilliant but we do apologise for any inconvenience, especially to the traffic on the High Road."

*Read our Close Up with executive chef Louis Andrews.