A Looe trader together with the town's Chamber of Commerce, is offering a reward of £500 after two arson attacks in the town late on Tuesday night.

The gift shop known as Gingers, owned by Richard Duncombe (pictured), and a rubbish bin outside a door at Kellys Ice Cream Parlour, owned by Peter and Tina Roberts, were both set alight at about midnight.

Both incidents took place in Fore Street, and were attended by Looe Fire Brigade. Looe police say they are related crimes.

Mr Duncombe, who lives in the flat above his shop with his partner Sally, says the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, has been put up because of the severity of the case.

'We are very concerned about this sinister act' said Mr Duncombe. 'You can replace a window but not your life. We are shocked'.

Mr Duncombe had been alerted by his neighbours Toby and Sharon Taylor, who live above adjoining Fat Willys and had heard the sound of glass exploding in the heat. As the Duncombe's came running down the stairs flames were already licking underneath the door which had just set off the smoke alarm. Damage to the shop door, which is specially made and fitted, and to the adjoining window, will run into four figures.

'We were so lucky our neighbours realised what was happening so early' said Mr Duncombe. 'Without Toby's prompt action the fire would have taken hold of the whole building very quickly as well as adjoining shops. And you can't rule out a human tragedy'.

At Kelly's, Mrs Tina Roberts who described the incident as a very serious matter, said her rubbish bin was next to a wooden door and luckily for them a friend, Mr Nigel Pearn, was walking by and pulled it away before the flames could take hold of their premises.

Chamber of Commerce chairman Edwina Arkell said the incidents were vandalism in the extreme. 'This is another unacceptable crime against the town's shopkeepers, most of whom are already paying up to £200 excess on insurance because of the regularity of damage' she said. 'These fires could so easily have led to a tragedy'.

Looe has seen an upturn in vandalism during the last few months with both affected properties in this latest incident having previously suffered broken window along with other shops.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Looe police on 0990 777444 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.