TWO teenagers pictured on the front of yesterday's Evening Advertiser, watching the blaze at Old Town's Locarno on Sunday, have been cleared of any blame by Swindon police.

The pair were captured on film by a passer-by, who then handed the images to police following an appeal for information.

The teenagers, Martin Taylor, 18, and Adrian Taylor, 18, both of Lennox Drive, Walcot, who are not related, have come forward to say they were innocent bystanders.

Detectives investigating the fire appealed through the Adver for the youths to contact them as they could be vital witnesses.

But the pair say they arrived at the Locarno at 3.30pm after the blaze started.

Martin said: "We were playing snooker at the Swindon Snooker Club in Fleet Street when a friend dropped by in his car to say there was a big fire in Old Town.

"We all went up there to have a look. We only stayed 15 minutes and we had never been there before.

"It was a shock to see our picture on the front of the paper and I want everyone to know we are not involved in any way. We wouldn't have gone there to watch the fire if we had started it."

His friend Adrian said: "There were loads of other kids there so I don't know why the camera only caught us. Lots of people went to have a look.

"We have been to the police and told them we were not there and had nothing to do with the fire. They said they would be checking our alibis."

Police released the pictures in the hope that the teenagers could help in the investigation.

Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "I would like to make it clear that the boys were never suspects.

"We are not connecting them to the fire in any way."

n A full structural survey of the remaining structure of the Locarno has been commissioned by its owner Gael Mackenzie. Work on the survey is due to start next week.