RECKLESS arsonists caused damage estimated at £75,000 when they set fire to a barrel of resin, causing an explosion and a blaze which wrecked a factory unit.

The owners of Creative Resins at Sheerness, parents of model and page three girl Cassie Sumner, say the the blaze has devastated their business.

The blaze started under an electricity pylon at the unit on Windsor Industrial Estate. Arsonists broke open a barrel of resin, poured some out and set it alight.

Five pumps were used by firefighters who took more than five hours to put out the blaze.

Karen Sumner, wife of managing director Peter Sumner, said: "We have worked so hard for the company and this is a major setback. We were just about to go to France for an installation of our machinery but we have had to cancel it even though we have been trying to get into the French market for years."

The company, based in Church Road, Sittingbourne, produces the resins for stained glass doors and windows and uses the latest technology to apply the resin in a range of designs.

The fire destroyed a caravan, a forklift truck and the factory unit containing all the company's production equipment.

Sgt Peter Lower said: "This is an incredibly dangerous and thoughtless act, which could have put lives in danger."

Officers are viewing CCTV footage and following a number of lines of investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sittingbourne Police on 01795 477055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.