FELIXSTOWE: A distraught woman’s memories of her days by the seaside are in ruins today after heartless arsonists decimated her award-winning beach hut.

Hilary Colson, from Barrow, was informed by police that her hut, in Sea Road, had been the target of an arson attack at 2.40am on Sunday.

Ms Colson said she was completely devastated by the news as the hut had a number of photographs of her grandchildren, a scrapbook, and memorabilia that had been picked up by her grandchildren.

“It’s not about the value it’s all about the memories,” she said.

“It’s completely destroyed – all the children’s photographs were in there and a scrapbook of what we did.

“I’m just so upset – I keep breaking down.

“Ever since I was a little girl I wanted a beach hut and I worked my whole life to own one.

“I’ve been coming here for 13 years and I loved it so much I bought the hut.

“If the person who did it is found then I want to ask them why they did it.”

Ms Colson, who works for the NHS, described the hut as a home away from home.

The hut won the Felixstowe Beach Hut of the Year in 2007 after she spent hundreds of pounds to give her grandchildren a beach hut to enjoy.

After police informed Ms Colson of the damage that was caused she was told that a paraffin canister was found next to the hut which has been sent away for forensic testing.

“Its just absolutely shattered me,” Ms Colson said.

A member of the public phoned the fire service to inform them of the blaze but by the time the fire was extinguished the hut, along with its contents, were destroyed.

Police are asking for anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone with information about who started the blaze to contact PC 1465 Clark on 01473 613500.

n Do you have a message of support for Hilary? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.