RESIDENTS of a town where a popular garden centre burned to the ground over the weekend, are backing a social media campaign to get the business up and running as soon as possible.

Strikes garden centre, in Stokesley, was completely destroyed after a major fire took hold on Friday night. Fire crews from across the region worked through the night to try and save the premises, but the blaze was too intense.

The sudden loss of the garden centre, which also included a restaurant, craft shop and an aquatic centre, prompted local people to take to social media to express their dismay.

Many explained how they had fond memories of the place from visiting with grandchildren to see the tropical fish to meeting up with friends in the restaurant.

It has also employed many people locally over the years.

Now the community news site, Save Our Stokesley, announced on its Facebook page that it was intending to write to Strikes' parent company, Klondyke, to say they hope to see it rebuilt.

Save Our Stokesley posted: “SOS are going to write to Klondyke (Strikes' owners) saying that we were really sad to see the fire at Strikes and that we really hope that they will rebuild an even better Strikes and that it continues being the great Stokesley Institution that it has been for many years. We hope you support this - and if you would like us to add your name as a signatory to the letter then please reply to this post and say so!”

Klondyke's chief executive, David Yardley, told The Northern Echo, said they intended to get the business back up and running as soon as possible but the fire has devastated the premises.

“We met with the insurance company today and we’re looking to get things moving and rebuild as quickly as we can. But there’s no time-scale at the moment," he said.

“The whole shop is completely destroyed. The only bit which escaped is the plant area, which is still intact and the covered canopy area. The rest – the shop, the café – everything else has gone.”

Mr Yardley said the staff were “in shock”.

“We had a meeting this morning with all the staff to try and reassure them that we will try and get it rebuilt as quickly as possible and keep them employed. But it will take time,” he said.

He added: “We’re sorry for all the staff who worked hard to get the centre where it was. For that to be gone within a few hours of a fire is devastating.

“We’d also like to thank the local community for all their support and good wishes and try and reassure everybody we will rebuild as quickly as possible.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said investigations into the cause of the blaze were still continuing.

She said: “There’s no reason to believe it was deliberate ignition at this point but investigations will continue with other agencies including the insurance appointed investigators.”