MESSAGES of support have flooded into the Middleton Guardian after last week's arson attack.

The attack damaged the Guardian offices in Fountain Street, Middleton, but failed to stop the newspaper going to press.

Loyal readers have telephoned and mailed to congratulate staff for getting the Middleton and north Manchester news out as normal.

Bill Keeth, local author, said: "Well done, the Middleton Guardian staff, on getting the paper out on to the streets this week under adverse circumstances of a most devastating kind."

Several readers have used our internet page – www.middletonguardian.co.uk – to leave their kind words of support.

One, with the user name ‘Midlaydeee’, said: "Well done to the Guardian for having measures in place to stop this sort of scum throwing a spanner in the works."

Another, Mark Hutton, added: "Glad no-one was hurt. Keep up the good work everyone."

Middleton Guardian editor Gerry Sammon said: "It has been wonderful that so many people have offered their support to us. I would like to thank the people of Middleton and north Manchester for their good wishes. I have always known that we could rely on our readers, and they can always rely on the Middleton Guardian."

The blaze was started by firebugs who poured petrol through the office letter box before dropping in a naked flame at about 9.30pm last Monday, 2 June.

Firefighters battled for two-and-a-half hours to extinguish the flames.

The reception area of the building has been gutted. It was fortunate that decades of Middleton history – in the form of archived newspapers – survived the fire.

Any witnesses or people with information are asked to call local police on 0161 856 8701 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.