The owners of a pet shop have told of their fears that a vendetta is being waged against them in an attempt to drive them out of town.

Tom and Rose Catania, who run Tom's Pet Shop in Old Road, Clacton, believe someone tried to leave poison in the latest incident.

Mr Catania, 66, found a blue substance in the shop when he was cleaning it on Wednesday.

Fortunately, none of his animals had come into contact with the substance, which has now been sent away for analysis.

Mr Catania immediately contacted the police, who are investigating the incident, and the RSPCA.

"It has upset me and the wife," he said. "We usually have our own dogs in the shop while we are here, but I cannot risk it after this.

"We will have to leave them at home as I could not bear anything happening to them. They are our world."

The couple have only had the shop about four months, but they claim that in that short time children have been sent in to pester them and someone else complained to Tendring Council's environmental health department that cages were dirty.

"We were visited and given a clean bill of health," said Mr Catania. "The cages were all brand new when we opened up and we make sure all our animals and birds are properly cared for."

The couple believe the substance found in the shop was put there on Monday.

"A man came into the shop and was acting quite suspiciously," said Mr Catania. "First, he was kneeling down by the rabbits and then he went to look at the cats. When we asked him what he was doing he ran out."

A Clacton Police spokesman confirmed they were investigating the incident.

"We have removed the substance and it has been sent away to find out exactly what it is," he added.

Tendring Council today confirmed it investigated a complaint and the food, water and accommodation were all considered to be clean at the time of the visit.

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