AN antiques dealer forced to close her shop four months ago after being hit by firebugs is back in business but says she is terrified of being targeted again.

Christine Haworth, owner of Great Expectations, Whalley New Road, Blackburn, was forced to close in May when her shop was damaged by arsonists.

Only weeks before that the shop was hit by smash and grab raiders.

Front windows were smashed and a quantity of goods stolen. A large amount of stock was smashed in the raid, as well costing in the region of £4,000.

After the two blows she told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph she felt like quitting. But through sheer determination Christine is back in her shop and open for business.

She said: "It was absolutely horrendous after the fire. The ceiling needed re-doing, the window frames replacing and the whole place redecorating.

"It was a very depressing time and I thought twice about coming back. It knocked me sideways but I thought I couldn't just give up.

"I've had support from the customers. Many of them come from out of the area and didn't know I was closed until they got here.

"They have made me cards and welcomed me back. It's slow at first but it will pick up."

Much of Christine's stock was destroyed in the blaze. What was left had to be cleaned and restored.

The total cost of re-opening was in the region of £20,000 --the bulk of which was covered by insurance.

And Christine, whose insurance premium has gone up by 50 per cent since the blaze, fears a repeat attack could kill the business off for good.

She said: "If it happens again I don't know what I would do. Who would insure me then."