WORKERS at a newly opened bakery are “frightened for their lives” after coming under attack from rock-throwing youths who target them as they enter and leave the building.

Police have been called to The Premium Bakery five times after youths began throwing rail ballasts from the tracks above the building on Mid Road, Prestonpans, down onto the building.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused to the building panels and windows.

Owner Peter Ford said the incidents had also left his staff demoralised and fearful, with some asking to change shifts to avoid working at night.

Mr Ford said: “They are throwing ballasts from the railway line; if they hit anybody they could kill them.

“They are actually standing waiting for the doors to open to throw them into the building.”

Mr Ford’s decision to open the new bakery on Mid Road with a £1.4million investment was welcomed last year as it heralded a return of the family bakers’ to the town, next to the site of their former Ford’s the Bakers building.

Speaking at a meeting of Prestonpans Community Council on Tuesday, he revealed plans were under way to develop the site further and create a food park which would provide more employment in the town, but he said the repeated attacks on the building were having a negative impact.

He said plans to install £40,000 worth of solar panelling which would reduce energy costs had been shelved because of the attacks on the building, adding: “Morale is low, some staff are wanting to be moved off the nightshift.”

Mr Ford even received a phone call while at the meeting telling him that youths were again throwing rocks at the business.

Ward councillor Willie Innes, East Lothian Council leader, said: “This is heart-breaking. Peter took a leap of faith to come here. It is a great opportunity and he has some terrific ideas for expanding the business base.

“This is a disgrace. Peter’s staff are frightened for their lives and no one should be going to work in fear.”

Police said the youths were accessing the railway line, which looks down on the building, and is not fenced off.

Mr Innes pledged to write to Network Rail, which is believed to own the land, asking for it to be made secure.

Ward councillor Steven Brown said he had seen rocks being thrown.

He said: “The consequences for staff if someone is hit could be devastating. They are not just stones, they are the size of a fist.”