BURGLARS ransacked a Rossendale textile factory before setting it on fire causing extensive damage to the building and stock.

A brand new computer part of a new system due to be installed today was stolen along with a substantial amount of cash from a safe.

Fire crews were called to Murmar Phipps Ltd, Piercy Works, Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, shortly after 5am yesterday and found the first floor of the two-storey building well alight.

A store room and offices suffered extensive damage.

The building was formerly used by Keighley and Taylor but was closed for some time after being taken over by Northampton-based Murmar Phipps who provide fabric mainly to the slipper and shoe trade.

The factory was re-opened some months ago and employs seven people on site. The company has two other new units nearby.

Installed as manager was Bryn Aspinall who worked for Keighley and Taylor for twenty years.

Outside the burnt-out building early yesterday he said: "I started here straight from school and in twenty years we only had one break-in. "This time it has been broken into and ransacked. They kicked a door in, ransacked the offices and stole a brand new computer which was due to be installed tomorrow as part of a state of the art system.

"A safe containing money running into four figures has also been forced.''

Mr Aspinall, 40, added: "Up until this happening things had been going well. We were looking at expanding the workforce with one due to start next week and then probably another two.''

The fire was tackled by two crews from Rawtenstall and two from Bacup. Firefighters were at the scene for several hours.

Sub officer Frank McVan said: "The first floor was going well when we arrived but we managed to confine it to the store room and offices.''

Scenes of crimes officers visited the factory and an investigation is now under way.

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