When furniture maker Anthony Hartley saw the charred wreckage of many years’ work after fire engulfed his Haworth studios, he was on the brink of quitting.

But nearly a week after the devastating blaze, the award-winning designer is confident everything at Damside Mill can be revived, thanks to an upswell of local support.

Early last Wednesday, fire crews from five engines battled to save the building.

And now the roof and walls are almost all that remain of the converted mill, which was packed with Mr Hartley’s distinctive brightly-painted plywood furniture, plus the artwork of other local sculptors and design students.

On Tuesday night the workbenches were piled high with multi-coloured drawers destined for the London Transport Museum.

They were for a piece called Edna – typical of Mr Hartley’s work in not just style, but title.

His distinctive bent-ply chairs are called Mr Smith and other pieces of furniture include Sidney and Frank.

Mr Hartley said: “It has been utterly heartbreaking as everything we make becomes part of our family.

“Everything we do has a personality and will be missed. It’s been a very tough week and on Wednesday night I was ready to pack it all in.

“I had such a sickening feeling, not just for my furniture, but for all the other things, the art and sculptures by other people which were destroyed,” Mr Hartley said.

“However, now everything is starting to get sorted, the insurance is being done and one thing is it can all be made again.”

Mr Hartley said he had been surprised by how many Haworth people had come forward with offers of help with the tidying up and restoration.

“It really has been an eye-opener on that score and we are all very grateful for people’s kindness.

“We have lots to do, but it will all get done,” Mr Hartley said.