Thousands of pounds of damage has been caused to a Shropshire barber’s shop which has been hit by vandals for the third time in as many weeks.

The shopfront at Top Lads in High Street, Wellington, was smashed in the early hours today, leaving owner Laura Williams devastated.

The shop was originally set to open on August 15 but after two ram raid-style attacks, which caused £4,000 of damage, the opening was put back. It finally opened last week.

Miss Williams, 21, of Aqueduct, said she was not going to let the vandals beat her. “I am absolutely gutted and devastated by the attack, I can’t believe it has happened to me again,” she said.

“I can only think it is some kind of jealously as they can see I am setting up this new business and then how successful it was over the five days it managed to stay open, so they have done it again.

“But they are not going to beat me – I want to tell them this: I am not going anywhere, I am staying put, you are not driving me away.

“I will not be beaten by these vandals and I will work hard together with the owner of the building to get up and running again as quickly as possible.”

Gary Addison, who owns the premises, said he was left speechless by the latest attack.

“I could not believe that it had happened again and I just don’t know why they are doing it,” he said.

“Someone has taken a sledgehammer to the front of the shop and smashed in the glass windows and doors, it is unbelievable. I don’t know why this is happening, but it has got to stop.”

Telford Police spokesman Pete Simmonds urged anyone with information to call them on 0300 3333000.