A COUPLE have spoken of their devastation after their family-run cafe that was becoming a "thriving part of the community" was destroyed by an arson attack.

Rosie Hodgson, and her husband Stewart, discovered the horrifying sight of their burnt out Cozy Coffee café, on the outskirts of Brafferton, near Darlington, just after 8am yesterday morning, after being alerted by a neighbour.

The cafe, which was built from scratch by Mr Hodgson, opened in May 2015, but all that remained yesterday was the charred remains of what had been described as "the best thing to happen to Brafferton" by customers.

A spokesperson for Durham Police confirmed last night they were treating the fire as arson.

Speaking to The Northern Echo hours after discovering her much-loved cafe had been destroyed, Mrs Hodgson said: “I am devastated – it is my life, my business, and it has been a real thriving social hub for the community.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I haven’t accepted it happened – I have not got my head around it at all."

Recalling the moment she saw the remains of the cafe, she said: “It was absolutely awful – I couldn't bare to look.

"The worst bit was seeing it burnt to the floor and realising there was nothing to salvage - you can’t rake amongst the remains and pick up little bits."

Since opening more than two years, the cafe had been used for hen parties and meetings about plans to build a bypass through the village to the A1(M), that were unveiled earlier this year.

“We have groups of cyclists and walkers come in regularly, and it is a good meeting place for businesses.

"We also have groups of elderly people come and visit - their carers bring them here and it is the only place some of them go.

"It is a lifeline for these people," she added.

Mrs Hodgson also said she was "really grateful" for all the messages of support she had received from friends and customers.

“I always wanted a coffee shop – I love baking cakes and talking to people. I thought I had found a really nice place.

"It is my life for six days a week – I’ve made some great friends and I get to meet new people every day.

“I cannot understand why someone would do this. They don’t understand the impact - it is such a big loss for the community.

“It was successful and it was building up nicely and getting some lovely reviews. I was loving it – absolutely loving it – it was something I always wanted to do."

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "Officers investigating a fire at Cozy Coffee, off Aycliffe Lane, near Brafferton, are treating the incident as arson.

"The fire was reported to police at 8.40am on Friday morning, but is believed to have taken place in the early hours of the morning.

"Anyone who saw the fire or has any information on the circumstances surrounding it is asked to call PC Paul Dickenson in Darlington on 101."

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they attended the scene yesterday morning but the fire was already out when they arrived.