A charity shop has become the latest victim of arsonists.

The Sue Ryder shop in Broadwater Boulevard, Worthing, did not open yesterday after a box of donated clothes was set ablaze outside the front door at 5am.

Last week, Richards Dry Cleaners, opposite the charity shop, was set alight and is now boarded up and closed.

The attacks have triggered fears among nearby traders that the arsonists could strike again.

Yesterday's blaze shattered the charity shop's glass door and covered stock in soot.

The shop will be shut for a week and all the second-hand clothes will have to be destroyed or recycled.

Sue Ryder area manager Julie Newby said: "The fire has trashed all the stock in the shop.

"It smells badly and is covered in soot. The glass sprayed into the shop 10ft from the front door.

"The bric-a-brac can be washed but the clothes and books are ruined and will have to be thrown away.

"My shop manager had rung me only the morning before to say she had concerns because of the amount of vandalism in the precinct. Then she walks into this.

"It seems odd it was at 5am. If it was at midnight you could put it down to someone walking back from the pub.

"We're looking for the support of the public to help us replace the damaged stock."

Leading Firefighter Justin Bomyer said: "It looked like someone wanted the shop to go up. They had put the box right up to the front door. It was definitely arson."

Janet Williams, owner of nearby Broadwater Newsagents, voiced fears her stock could be next to go up in flames.

She said: "I'm worried as a shop owner. I've seen the damage to the charity shop and it is bad, despite the fact firemen didn't let it take hold. It causes so much disruption.

"What are people doing out at 5am setting fire to shops? One of the flats above was set on fire about six months ago at the same time of day. We need a police presence around here."

Roger Everitt, manager of the nearby Money Exchange, said: "It seems there are unlimited traffic police.

"But there is not a policeman around when you want to stop this sort of crime.

"I chased some lads away a couple of weeks ago who were playing football against the glass at the front of the shop.

"They went round the back and sat on my car. I chased them off and within minutes they were round the front playing football again.

"I rang the police but they said they couldn't get anyone round in the next six hours.

"It's not good enough. We're all worried round here about who'll be next."

Police are still looking for the arsonist who set fire to a string of properties, including the Assembly Hall in Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing, on Bonfire Night.

To donate stock to the Sue Ryder shop, call 01903 204101.