TRADERS are still feeling the heat a year after a fire ripped through the heart of Warminster.

The blaze, which caused £1m of damage, started in newsagents Balfour News, in Market Place, on December 21 last year and spread to fashion chain Dorothy Perkins next door.

Adjoining 18th century building Cristettes hardware shop and The Anchor Hotel were also damaged.

The fire hit at the worst time of year. Many traders were forced to close during the busy Christmas period.

A year on, some are still battling with insurance companies for compensation.

Financial headache and stress nearly pushed Chrissie Mantle over the edge. She owns The Anchor Hotel and has lost thousands of pounds worth of trade. Her pub was shut for a day and a half, and the bed and breakfast rooms were unoccupied for two months.

She said: "I couldn't imagine how much it's cost us. I have been through a really bad time, but I'm finding my feet.

"For the last three years I've put my heart and soul into the business. I hope everything will be sorted out next year, so that my hard work will finally pay off."

Dorothy Perkins is back in business, but Balfour News is still covered in scaffolding and little work has been done because of planning problems associated with the listed building.

Cristettes owner Chris Lewis is upset with the lack of progress on the Balfour building, but said his shop has been much busier since the reopening of Dorothy Perkins.

He said: "December 21 is a day I will never forget. It may have been the shortest day, but it was the longest day in my life.

"The fire has taken a toll, especially in the early part of the year. It was quite understandable why people avoided the area, as it was a building site.

"Our business has suffered, without question, but we knew we would survive, as we're fighters."

Surrounding businesses that were untouched by the flames, still had to rise from the ashes. The Cornmarket, which is the newest shopping area in Warminster, is behind the fire-damaged buildings.

Some traders had only been open a couple of weeks before the outbreak.

Gill Penn, who owns Options Baby Shop, said: "I had only been open for three weeks and I was caged in by scaffolding and some of it's still here. Nobody could walk through the Cornmarket for months, so there was little passing trade.

"It's been really grim, I expected 50 per cent more turnover in the last 12 months. I've had no insurance payout as I'm a new business, so had no proof of my loss of takings."

Despite the turmoil of the last 12 months, traders are optimistic about the New Year.

Stationary Plus, in Cornmarket, has never been busier, and after a long wait, work will begin on Balfour News early next year.