A MILL owner has vowed to start over again after a fire devastated his business.

Edward Hardman, 57, has run the Rising Bridge Corn Mill, Northfield Road, for the past 12 years along with his wife Susan Mary, 51, and son Peter, 17.

But he was forced to stand by helpless yesterday as flames ripped through the mill which makes pet and animal feed and employs six people.

Mr Hardman, of Great Harwood, said: "I really don't know what's going to happen now. We'll just have to wait and see how bad the damage is and see if we can carry on at all.

"If not I guess we'll just have to start all over again from square one. It's devastating."

Mr Hardman, who also owns a mill in Hapton, said he had been working in the office when a passing motorist dashed in to say the roof of the building was on fire.

He said: "No-one had any idea that the building was on fire so it's a good job the lady spotted what was going on and let us know, otherwise who knows what might happened.

"Luckily everyone managed to get out safely."

More than 30 firefighters from Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Accrington tackled the blaze which broke out at shortly after 11am and is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in the roof.

Assistant Divisional Officer Dave Allan, based at the new Hyndburn HQ, said: "Five appliances were mobilised to the fire and when we got here the building was well alight. We used the aerial platform to get above the fire and get it under control."

Firefighters were at the mill for several hours damping down after the blaze and ensuring the site was safe.