A WESTHOUGHTON supermarket badly damaged in an arson attack will be closed for at least a week, it was revealed today.

Twent firemen were involved in fighting the blaze at the Lo Cost store in Market Street early yesterday.

The blaze, spotted by a passer-by, caused extensive damage to goods as it tore through a plant room -- the central point for the supply of electricity for the store.

Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control although they were at the scene for up to four hours.

The blaze was well alight although fire crews arrived at the scene within minutes.

Detectives are investigating the fire which has been blamed on arsonists.

A spokesman for CWS, the owners of the store, said: " The store is likely to be closed for at least a week."

He added: "No one was in the store at the time."