THE Co-op has promised to rebuild its fire-gutted store in Hamworthy, Poole, and retain all 49 staff.

The devastating fire which broke out around 5am on Saturday, September 1, wrecked the 8,000 sq ft supermarket and the blackened remains will have to be demolished.

In the meantime the Co-op is looking to provide a temporary service to the 12,000 Hamworthy residents left without a supermarket.

"We want to maintain our position in Hamworthy and continue to serve the local community," said a spokeswoman.

"Our store was a much-valued asset and we intend to build a new store. However, in the meantime we are looking into the possibility of housing a temporary shop on or near the existing site."

She added: "All 49 staff at the store will be relocated to nearby stores while we look into different options for a temporary store."

Residents who are left with only corner stores and have to travel into Poole or Upton to stock up, have suggested the vacant Royal British Legion club opposite could be a suitable site.

"It's a disaster for the area and makes it even more important that the Lidl store does get planning permission," said a retired resident.

Lidl has put in a second planning application for a derelict site further up the Blandford Road, having previously been refused by Poole planners despite overwhelming support from many residents.

The fire has left Hamworthy residents without a major food store, although there is a Happy Shopper mini-supermarket which also offers a Paypoint facility for topping up gas and electricity meters.

Hamworthy East councillor Mike White has called on bus operators to lay on extra services to Upton and Poole, and Asda has agreed to introduce buses to its Poole store.

Hamworthy West councillor Mike Wilkins negotiated the new service yesterday with the shop's general manager.

The service will run from Upton crossroads via Blandford Road to Asda at Holes Bay, departing at 9am, 12noon and 1.30pm from Monday to Saturday and returning at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

Chris Harris, Wilts and Dorset's PR manager, said: "We run a return service every 15 minutes from Hamworthy to Poole and provide single-decker buses with access for wheelchairs and shopping trolleys."

The fire is still the subject of an investigation by Poole CID. Detective Sergeant Garry Knight said they were no longer considering arson as a likely cause.

However, police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious to contact Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.