POLICE are investigating an arson attack which caused £100,000 worth of damage to a print works and threatened to ruin the business.

Swale police spokesman Sally Smith said officers are appealing for information about the fire which was started between 10.30pm and 10.40pm on Sunday night.

Tony Hayes, who runs Atlantic Print with co-director Paul Wood, said his 16-strong workforce would have lost their jobs if the blaze, which was started in three rubbish bins that were put against a front office wall, had taken hold on the rest of the building.

The office and its roof suffered extensive damage in the blaze, and computers, telephones and furniture were destroyed.

The works, which have been at Sittingbourne Industrial Estate off Crown Quay Lane for three years, produces magazines and business journals.

Mr Hayes said: "What the people who do this think they are achieving I just don’t know. These stupid idiots may think they are having a bit of laugh, but they are jeopardizing people’s livelihoods."

Only a fire door between the office and the main works prevented the fire from spreading.

Mr Hayes said: "If the fire service had arrived two or three minutes later, then the fire door would have gone and the whole building would have caught fire."

However, he added: "As far as our customers are concerned, it is business as usual."

The reproduction work previously based in the office has been farmed out to other firms until the damage can be repaired and new equipment bought.

Mr Hayes said a telephone engineer and electrical contractor had restored the phones and power on Monday morning.

Sittingbourne firefighter Kevin Ford said: "Two pumps were needed, the roof was cut away and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went in to check the premises.

"It appeared that once the wheelie bins were alight, the windows cracked and the fire entered the building."

Anyone with information should ring Swale police on 01795 477055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.