An ‘outpouring of support' has been welcomed by Liverpool City Council after a local library and community hub was torched by far-right rioters.

Spellow Hub suffered severe fire damage amid an outbreak of violent disorder on Saturday night.

Just last year, the library re-opened as a community hub following a ‘radical, community-led makeover' funded through the Liverpool City Region.

Regional mayor Steve Rotheram had hailed the new facility as the first in the north of England to offer a complete ‘education to employment' service for people of all abilities in one of the most deprived wards in the country.

In the wake of the destruction, a fundraising page set up with the aim of raising £500 for repairs has received more than £180,000, with donations continuing to pour in.

The council said building spaces had also been offered up, enabling community services to continue ‘at a time where they are most needed'.

Liverpool's cabinet member for finances, Ruth Bennett, said: ‘Over the last two days we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our residents, partners and people from right across the country.

‘On behalf of the city – thank you. It is deeply appreciated and humbling.'

Surveyors will assess the damage before an estimate for the cost of repairs is made.