THE owner of an Alcester nursery targeted by suspected arsonists has vowed to battle on with business despite the blaze causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Just ten days after the massive blaze swept Springfield Nursery, joint-owner John Adams insists it is "business as usual" at the Hertford Road store owned with his father, Jim.

The fire destroyed the 70-metre long storage building, containing machinery, tools and chemical fertiliser in the early hours of Friday, September 9.

But Mr Adams said a clean-up operation was about to begin and he hoped to have replaced the building and lost stock by early next year.

He said: "What else can you do? We've been targeted before but we keep going and stay positive. "I'm actually serving customers as we speak."

The nursery was set up by 83-year-old Jim Adams in 1949 and stocked mainly vegetables, but now specialises in seasonal plants and shrubs.

It was also engulfed in flames two years ago and has been burgled on a number of occasions.

Mr Adams and his wife Sue, an Alcester town councillor, have also been regular targets of car vandals and cars have been stolen twice in the last two years.

Mrs Adams added: "We're community people who always try to do our best,

"But for some reason we keep being targeted."

However she said her husband and stepson were determined to battle on against all odds with their beloved business and are looking to the future.