A TOWN trader is today counting the cost after her shop was damaged by flooding. Staff at newsagent and convenience outlet Trinity Stores were busy checking stock yesterday when they noticed water dripping from the ceiling.

Within minutes it had collapsed and the power supply was cut, forcing co-proprietor Pauline Lancaster to shut up shop.

‘It’s ruined a lot of my stock – the freezers are off – and I’ve had to close my business,’ said 55-year-old Ms Lancaster, who, with her son, Christopher, 30, has run the shop for three years.

She was devastated by what had happened. ‘We’ve built this business up over the last few years, my son and I.

‘I employ 10 people so I have all their lives in my hands – it’s a big responsibility. And the community relies on my shop.’

She added that loyal customers had been ‘really nice’.

Ms Lancaster could not say when the shop would reopen or how much the damage could cost.

‘I think it is going to be a long time until we are trading again. There will be no Halloween or fireworks for us.’

Specialists were called to the shop to tackle the problem, which is still under investigation.

And because it has a food bar, environmental health officers were sent to assess the situation.