FIREFIGHTERS have been praised for salvaging stock from a shop.

While tackling Tuesday's blaze at the Regent Cinema, firefighters were seen running across Broad Street with racks of clothes from Neat, which shares the building with the cinema.

Sue Clark spent Wednesday helping to clear the shop and heaped praise on the emergency services.

She said: "Luckily the shop was shut at the time.

"I have been told by fire professionals that the front part of the cinema was saved because of the fire doors which closed and that helped protect the shop as well.

"The firefighters were fantastic. They moved all of the stock out of the shop and into the baptist church across the road, so we are extremely grateful to them."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

A spokeswoman from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the firefighters salvaged stock after forcing their way into Neat.

She said: "During the incident, firefighters forced entry into the little clothes shop below the cinema and salvaged some stock.

"The firefighters took the stock to safety in a church across the road.

"We intended to buy some refreshments for the firefighters at the Bell Cliff Restaurant but they wouldn't let us pay for them. We would like to say thank you to them for their kindness and support."