AN angry pet shop owner has today condemned arsonists who burnt his premises and have threatened his Christmas trade.But with an undefeated attitude Bill Woolven re-opened his shop within 24-hours of the vicious attack.

AN angry pet shop owner has today condemned arsonists who burnt his premises and have threatened his Christmas trade.

But with an undefeated attitude Bill Woolven re-opened his shop within 24-hours of the vicious attack.

Mr Woolvin, who runs Bills Pet Supplies from The Turban Centre, in Woodbridge, has been trading for almost two years.

He said: "I feel sick that someone has done this to my shop.

"Woodbridge has suffered from yobbish behaviour for the last couple of years and things are getting worse.

"Shops are constantly having their windows smashed and I even boarded up mine to prevent that from happening - instead they go and burn it down."

Mr Woolven, of Beaumont Cottages, Kelsale, is now asking police to step up their presence in the area and hopes that CCTV cameras can be installed.

He did not learn about the fire, which took place at 9.45pm on Thursday, until he arrived for work on Friday morning.

He added: "An employee turned up for work at 8.30am and I wasn't far behind.

"There was a police man waiting to tell us about it and I just couldn't believe what had happened.

"We started clearing up straight away and opened by lunchtime.

"Luckily the fire did not make it as far as the inside of the shop however there is severe structural damage to the outside and I fear I will have to close while the work is carried out.

"It will probably be a couple of months for the insurance claim to go through and that means I may have to close for Christmas.

"This will not only mean I will lose out on sales but I have already got my Christmas stock in which would have to go to waste."

N Have you suffered at the hands of vandals or yobs? What do you think about this story? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk