AN Accrington store has risen from the ashes after officially re-opening following an arson attack.

GlynWebb, on Blackburn Road, was gutted by the fire in February, which destroyed an estimated £100,000 of stock.

Shoppers and staff were forced to run for safety in the evening blaze, which took almost an hour to put out.

Two members of staff were treated for the effects of smoke.

Much of the store has now been rebuilt, and the interior has been given a makeover with new stock lines added and modern improvements made, including automatic doors.

Paul Craven, area manager, said: "It was disappointing to lose the store in such a devastating way but I am pleased to say that GlynWebb has risen from the ashes.

"It's given us the chance to make the store into a more enjoyable shopping experience.

"We are confident that our loyal customers will be extremely pleased with the results."

And new store manager Ian Grenfell said: "We have introduced new stock lines and ranges to keep the GlynWebb offer exciting and interesting."

The blaze was the second large fire to affect the store. On September 27, 1995, an electrical fault was blamed after a blaze gutted the store, causing £1 million worth of damage.

On Thursday £200,000 of investment saw the Accrington branch of the store officially re-launched to the public.

Store bosses say the refit has meant the Accrington store has become the first of the chains shops to be fitted with new tills.

The GlynWebb chain has 26 stores across the country, from Stockton-on-Tees to Colchester, and attracts more than 250,000 customers each week.

The company was voted Independent Decor Retailer of the Year at the 2003 Retail Awards.