A shopkeeper whose stock was destroyed in Witney's Sobell House charity shop blaze is having to start her business from scratch because her insurance does not cover the damage.

Thousands of pounds worth of gifts, holistic and spiritual healing treatments and household accessories had to be written off because of fire or smoke damage after flames spread to the neighbouring Figments store from Sobell House Hospice charity shop in Langdale Court.

Both stores have been closed since arsonists set fire to a bag of clothing outside the charity shop on Tuesday, June 6, and Figments' roof has caved in.

The building will be repaired by owners Panther Properties and Figments owner Alison Edgington, who rents the shop space, thought her insurance company would pay out to make up the cost of her lost stock.

But she has been told that her policy will only cover the cost of about a third of the stock leaving her thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Last week, when the extent of the damage became clear, Mrs Edgington considered giving in and closing up shop for good.

But she and husband Kev have now decided to fight on, despite having to start again from scratch.

Mrs Edgington, 49, who has lived in Witney all her life and has two children Ben, 18, and Amelia, 15, said: "I always wanted my own shop. I worked lots of different jobs, sometimes three at a time, until I was in a position to set up my own.

"I've worked every day since I set up Figments two-and-a-half years ago and it's been heartbreaking to see it all gone. I'm still devastated.

"I thought I'd have to give in, but I've had so much support and so many nice letters and cards, it's willed me to go on."

Mrs Edgington took out her insurance cover when she first opened the shop and had only a few items in stock.

In the past two years, her range has steadily grown, but she never updated her insurance.

She said: "It was the last thing on my mind, but I've certainly learned a lesson from it."

Witney Town Charities has offered the hospice charity the use of the former Unwins shop, in Corn Street, Witney, free of rent until its Langdale Court shop can re-open.

Both Mrs Edgington and the charity hope their shops will be back up and running by Christmas.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested last Tuesday on suspicion of arson and released on bail until the end of June, pending further inquiries.

Witney police are still appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to call them on 08458 505505, or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.