INVESTIGATIONS are continuing after a charity was left reeling from a suspected arson attack on its headquarters last week.

The Friends of the Animals building on Riverway, Newport, was badly damaged following a fire in the early hours of Thursday, November 19.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "We are still hoping for CCTV to come up trumps — this was a planned attack.

"The person came from the Newport direction, with accelerant, so they intended to do harm, cause damage and put people's lives at risk. That is terrible.

"But we would like to thank the police and especially the fire service for their prompt attendance.

"The fire was, apparently, only minutes away from breaking into the roof of the building, in which case the whole place would have gone, along with 30 years of work and help."

Read more: Suspected arson at charity headquarters

Police confirmed they are investigating the incident as arson and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting 44200447554.

An appeal has been set up to help Friends of the Animals to continue running its services, with just over half of its £1,000 target reached to date.

Those wishing to donate can do so through the charity's Go Fund Me page online.