Heritage enthusiasts are mourning the loss of part of a historic former brewery which was destroyed in a fire.

The blaze has caused extensive damage to one of the buildings in the disused All Saints Brewery yard off Leicester's Highcross Street.

Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire, which broke out in the 19th century two-storey building just after 9pm on Monday.

Flames destroyed the roof and caused extensive internal damage to the property, which stands next to the medieval All Saints Church.

Leicester Civic Society chairman Stuart Bailey said: "I'm extremely saddened to hear of damage to the building in a significant part of our old city.

"The brewery was a fantastic series of early 19th century buildings that stretch all the way to what was Vine Street, which is now below the John Lewis car park.

"They were perfect for the period and were buildings we really should be protecting so we do not lose a sense of the history of the area."

Records show that the earliest use of the site for brewing dates back to 1795.

The fire was the second on the site in the past five months. In July, a three-storey building was badly damaged after vandals set fire to it.

Mr Bailey added: "I'm afraid that is what can happen when derelict old buildings are left unsecured. People get into them when they shouldn't and this can be the result.

"These buildings were among around 40 similar ones that we still have in the city that are historically important.

"We really can't afford to be losing them."

Chris Stephens, custodian of All Saints Church, said: "So much of old Leicester has already gone it is a pity to lose what little we have left."

The brewery yard is owned by Ingleby Ltd, of New Walk, Leicester.

In July, the company was granted planning permission to demolish some of the buildings to try to secure the area.

Ingleby's agent, Tim Shattock, said he had not yet had a chance to examine the damage.

"We'll need to have a proper look at the damage before we decide what to do," he said.

"Part of the reason for the demolition was to try to stop this sort of thing happening.

"Some of the remaining buildings will be retained as part of what will be a mixed-use development in the future.

"Unfortunately the market is not very good at the moment.

"There are no immediate plans."

Adrian Holmes, who works in the nearby Showcase cinema, saw the fire taking hold.

He said: "There was lots of dark smoke coming out of the windows so I called 999. The firefighters were there really quickly but the roof went up in flames."