Police in north Wales are investigating a suspected arson attack at the florist shop owned by former royal butler Paul Burrell.

The alarm was raised shortly before 0100 GMT on Sunday when a member of the public spotted flames inside the shop in Chapel Street, Holt, near Wrexham.

Mr Burrell took care of property on behalf of Diana, Princess of Wales

Two fire crews fought to control the flames, but the premises were badly damaged by smoke.

A joint fire and police investigation has been launched, and detectives have confirmed that they are treating it as suspected arson.

More details were expected to be released at a press conference in Wrexham on Sunday afternoon.

A distraught Mr Burrell attended the scene in the early hours to inspect the damage.

Appeal

He had only returned to work in the shop two weeks before, following the sensational collapse of his trial for theft of Royal property.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Loftus appealed for help from anyone who may have information or who saw anything suspicious in the area.

Just a few weeks ago, residents of Holt welcomed Mr Burrell back following the collapse of the trial in which it was alleged he had stolen property from Diana, Princess of Wales.

His wife Maria, who was born and brought up in the town, was in the shop when the judgement came through.

Burrell was jubilant when the trial collapsed

The shop was closed when news arrived that Mr Burrell had been cleared of stealing hundreds of items that belonged to Princess Diana.

A friend of Mr Burrell who spoke to him after the fire said it was not known whether the shop would reopen for business on Monday.

But he said Mr Burrell was understandably upset about the incident.

"Whoever you are, whether it's Paul or anybody, if somebody does that to your place of work then you're going to be concerned and upset about it."

Popular people

Mr Burrell's trial came to a sensationally halt in November when the judge learned that Mr Burrell told the Queen five years ago he had taken some of the princess's property.

The Burrells live in the nearby village of Farndon in Chesire and are said to be popular figures on both sides of the border.

"Everyone in the village is delighted for them," said Holt postmistress Linda Carr.

"We are really pleased it is all over at long last."

Ms Carr said that everyone in the village backed Paul and his family.

'Good neighbour'

"They are a decent family, they are honest and they wouldn't do anything like they have been accused of," she said.

Jeremy Hughes, manager of the Londis supermarket in Holt, said Mr Burrell had always been a good neighbour.

"We are all delighted he has been proved innocent," he said.

"Everyone is amazed it went as far as it did because everyone was convinced he was innocent from the word go.

"It seemed such a waste of time and effort to put everyone through such strain," he added.