The aftermath of a firework exploding in a car exhaust could last well into next year as one high street business picks up the pieces.

Colin Abbott, owner of insurance company Abco, which the car was parked outside, said his premises won’t be fully fixed until spring 2015 and will cost well over £10,000.

Police are continuing their enquiries but have made no arrests.

The blaze, which happened on November 1 at 11pm, was so powerful it melted the windows of the 12 century building and was just five minutes from setting it alight.

Mr Abbott said: “The legacy of this will drag on round here. It is the talk of the village still.

“Police have not come back to me but several people have mentioned registration numbers that I’ll report to them.

“I am sure they do the best they can but it seems in this case paperwork is taking them away from policing. All they need to do is speak to youngsters here - people know who has done it.”

On the same day, a chip shop in Market Hill, Coggeshall, was targeted by youths who threw a firework inside, which luckily ricocheted out of the shop.

For the full story, see this week's Halstead Gazette.