A CHARITY is back in business following an arson attack.

When vandals set fire to a van, the flames spread to the warehouse used by the furniture recycling charity FRADE (Furniture Reclamation and Delivery Enterprise).

Its stock of donated furniture, which would have gone to needy individuals and families, was written off.

"I was gutted," said third- year university student Alex Gillet, who was on work placement at the Stockton charity, until the weekend. "Even when we were closed, we had people coming in and phoning up.

"People were really disappointed. The worst thing was for those people who had only been in one or two days before and paid up front the small delivery charge.

"They were really looking forward to stuff being delivered, depending on items like mattresses," said Alex. "We had to phone the day after the fire and say 'Sorry, you are going to have to wait a bit longer, everything is covered in soot'."

FRADE operates a free collection service to pick up unwanted or donated furniture, which is passed on to Stockton people who are receiving state benefits.

The non-profit-making organisation only charges a nominal delivery fee to cover transport costs. The eight workers and volunteers have been working round the clock to refurbish the showroom in Britannia Road, Stockton, which is now back in operation.

The organisation is appealing to people to donate furniture or household goods which are in a sound condition.