A SHOP which was burnt down in last August's riots is finally reopening "like a phoenix risen from the flames".

The Sue Ryder charity shop in the Leegate shopping centre, Lee, opened last Valentine's Day but lasted just six months before the devastating arson attack.

Shop workers say youths set fire to the bins behind the shop, causing a blaze which penetrated the windows, destroying the rear stockroom and preparation area.

The entire shop, which raises money for specialist palliative, long-term and end of life care, was heavily smoke and water damaged and nothing could be salvaged.

Manager Shannon Reynolds said: "When I saw what was left it was heartbreaking for all of us.

"So much work had gone into it as well. It was devastating and the community were appalled. We got a lot of notes from well wishers."

Since then, the team have been working hard to get the shop back up and running on a new site, two units down from the old one. On Thursday (April 26) at 11am it will finally open its doors again.

Ms Reynolds said: "We're glad to be back as a team and back in the community.

"It's like a phoenix risen from the flames really.

"I speak for everybody when I say opening day can't come quickly enough."

Councillor Jim Mallory, who will open the shop, described it as a "beacon" and said the attack had acted as a catalyst for community events such as Leegate's recent Easter and Christmas festivals.

He said: "It really was a tragedy, but out of it a lot of other shops said 'we've had enough, let's get together and start working together'."