CAMPING shop owner Peter Wright has battled back from an arson attack to rebuild his business.

The 48-year-old boss of Rivington Camping was in the Lee Lane, Horwich, shop last September when the attacker burst into the shop and set fire to clothing.

Mr Wright managed to put the blaze out with a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived.

A man was arrested and received a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, as well as 180 hours unpaid work for the attack, which caused £1,200 of damage to Mr Wright’s premises.

The business was also put at risk when he was the victim of a £2,000 con, in which he received an online bulk order for torches which proved to be fraudulent.

But the former Deane Grammar School pupil has been heartened by the backing has received in Horwich and is now rebuilding his firm.

Mr Wright initially launched his business as Torches2Go from a base in Rawlinson Street, Hor-wich, in 2011 and won The Bolton News Start-Up Business of the Year Award in that year.

But the businessman, who has suffered mental health problems, converted his shop to a camping shop 12 months ago and that was when he was targeted.

He said: “I think because I have had mental health problems, some people saw me as someone they could bully and have a go at, but I have refused to be intimidated.

“I have also been encouraged by the support from the community of Horwich, where I have lived for the last 11 years.”

Mr Wright says he has also been buoyed by support from the Liberty Christian Centre in Rock Street, Horwich, and the Bolton-based charity, MhIST, the Mental Health Independent Support Team, for whom he has also done voluntary work.

Mr Wright’s shop is also a Fairtrade registered shop and he is a supporter of the British Legion and local dog rescue charities.