A SHOP owner believes vandals may have targeted his shop because of a book he is selling.

A panel of glass at John Shotton's antiquarian bookshop in Elvet Bridge, Durham City, was smashed on Monday.

Behind the broken glass is a display of Cobblers to the Council, a book written by shoe repairer Tony Martin about his lengthy battle with local authorities.

The book was launched last Friday at a signing session and former mayor Joe Anderson was one of the first in line to buy a copy.

Mr Anderson lost his seat as a Labour councillor before last year's elections - in which the Liberal Democrats scored a landslide victory - following a boundary shake-up

Mr Martin, who said he had endured threats of violence because of his views, closed his own shop in Claypath, last weekend, after running up £20,000 rent arrears. He hopes to find alternative premises in the city.

Book shop owner Mr Shotton said: "I think the broken window might have had something to do with the book.

"We have had eight or nine similar incidents in the last 20 years but only one inside the last few years after the security camera was installed nearby. It is a coincidence that this has happened within 48 hours of the book going on sale."

Mr Shotton, who lives above the shop, said he heard a bang and looked out of his window shortly after 1am and saw two men heading off in different directions.

He said he had no intention of withdrawing the book from sale.