POLICE in Southampton have charged five people in connection with the attempted arson in a city pub.

Darren McCash, 23 from Langstaff Way, Daniel McCash, 21, of Byron Road, and Lee James Gosden, 18, from Willow Close - all from the Thornhill area of Southampton - were due to appear before magistrates in Southampton this morning.

A 17-year-old boy from Southampton, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Chloe Johnson, 21, from Canberra Towers in Southampton were also expected to appear in court today.

All five have been charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

The allegations follow a fire at The Castle pub on Witts Hill in Midanbury on Friday, December 29.

No one was seriously injured and the fire caused minor damage to the building of the pub.

Police were called to the pub after members of staff at the pub reported windows being smashed and detectives spent the following day conducting interviews with customers at the pub to piece together what happened.

Police arrested the suspects following a series of raids on Tuesday.

The four male suspects were held by police until they were due to appear before the courts and Johnson was released on police bail before also being due to face magistrates today.

Lee James Gosden has also been charged with possession of a Class C drug.