A photographer who was brutally beaten with a hammer at his studio has defied his attacker and returned to work.

Derek Bell, who owns the Photographers Studio, Barrack Street, Colchester, lost two teeth and was badly bruised and scarred in the vicious assault.

Mr Bell was left bound and bleeding by a robber who made off with camera equipment and cash.

He still carries physical scars on his back but the deepest wounds were psychological - after the attack he felt he could not return to work. But today Mr Bell is back behind his camera and putting the beating behind him.

He said: "I have had great support from the traders next door, from family and friends and the police. I would not have been able to do it at all if it had not been for the support from everyone."

With more security, Mr Bell is concentrating on building his business back up.

"I lost a lot of work while I was off and I am now just carrying on," Mr Bell said.

"On the first day back it felt strange. I kept the door locked for the first couple of days. I was a bit uncomfortable with strangers for a while but I'm fine now."

Mr Bell is now rarely on his own in the studio and does not stay late in the evenings when everyone has left like he used to before the attack on May 15.

A man has since been arrested in Leeds, interviewed about the incident, and bailed pending further inquiries.

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