AN ARSON attack on a phone shop could cost the manager his business, as he was not protected by insurance.

Nadim Iqbar manages the Public Call Office, in Whalley New Road, Blackburn and faces a £1,500 bill to replace the mobile phone stock that was taken.

The 29-year-old is furious that the store, which provides public phones to the Asian community to contact relatives abroad, was targeted on Tuesday night.

Burglars broke in by smashing a back window. More than 20 mobile phones and two land phones were seized in the raid and a fire, which failed to take hold, was started in the middle of the room.

Nadim said: "I discovered the mess of broken glass and ash as well as the missing phones when I opened up on Wednesday morning. I am really angry and annoyed."

This is the third time the shop has been targeted since the business started three years ago.

And police and crime scene investigators were called to the scene to study traces of blood that were left on the walls.

But the premises were not protected with an alarm system.

"I did not think I would need insurance or an alarm, as we mainly operate a service for Asian people in the area to call abroad. We sold phone cards, second-hand mobiles and did repairs as an extra.

"But the money will have to come out of my own pocket now and it is a lot of money to find.

"I don't know if it is worth carrying on with more than £300 a month rent to find."