VANDALS who caused a blaze at a city toy shop after launching a firework into a pile of rubbish have been labelled 'idiots' by its owner.

Mark Stewart returned to Formative Fun, in Charles Street, Worcester, on Saturday morning to discover the outside of his shop severely burned and windows smashed.

He was later told how a rocket was set off in a pile of rubbish at the front of the shop he had left out to be collected by the council on Friday night.

Police and fire crews were called to the blaze, which started at around 4am, and, although doors, windows and external paintwork were destroyed, no one was hurt in the incident.

Mr Stewart said: "It just goes to show what idiots are around and just how dangerous fireworks and fire can be.

"I know a man sometimes stays in the shop next door to mine so it is a relief that no one was hurt.

"Luckily - because all of my staff have rallied around - we are still open, but the damage to just the windows is going to cost around £600, let alone the rest."

Police are treating the incident as arson and want anyone who has any information on the fire to get in touch on 08457 444888.