A DISTRAUGHT family have had to leave their business behind after it was destroyed by fire and then ransacked by thieves.

Punjabi Kitchen owners of ten years, Rakesh Jindal, 51 and Paramjeet Jindal, 43, were left devastated last month after an accidental blaze in an empty premises next door ripped through their business.

Just a day after the blaze, the family's home in Commercial Street was targeted by thieves who stole three watches, three laptops, a iPad, one mobile phone and £1,200 according to Mr Jindal.

Following the incidents, Mr Jindal said he awaited for a decision to be made on his insurance claim which he says failed because his business is in a "mountain of debt".

He said: "The insurance company said they would not pay out which means that I cannot afford to reopen my business until I have raised enough money to repair the damages caused by the fire.

"I am now jobless and looking for work and I can barely afford to feed my family with the money that I get from the Jobcentre."

The 51-year-old said his "pitiful" £73.10 weekly allowance from the Jobcentre is the family's only source of income as his wife Paramjeet is too frightened to leave their temporary home in St Edwards Street. 

He said: "We have been victims of two fires, a burglary, and racial abuse which led to death threats being posted through our letter box.

"Our business and livelihood has suffered severely in the space of four years which have all become factors in making my wife incredibly ill."

Mr Jindal said he has interviews lined up next week and hopes that getting a job will allow the family to start from scratch.

"I just want to get my business back up and running so we can return to our normal lives again," he added.