Battersea shops damaged in last month's rioting are to get help from an unlikely source - Debenhams, the area's flagship store which was itself ransacked by hundreds of looters.

Debenhams, in Lavender Hill, is offering 35 hours of support from various members of its skilled staff over a month-long period to assist businesses still reeling from the disorder on August 8.

Store manager Neil Roberts said: "In the spirit of the kindness shown to us by the people of Clapham and Battersea, we would like to give something back to the community.

"Practical support from all areas of our business is available to local, independent shops and businesses that need a helping hand to get back up and running."

The move has been welcomed by Lorinda Freint, Clapham Junction town centre manager, and The Clapham Junction Town Centre Partnership.

Help is available from the store’s maintenance, cleaning, loss prevention, visual merchandise, sales and management teams.

Businesses wanting to take up the offer should email Debenhams Battersea’s technical services manager, Julian Paine, by emailing wack.paine@debenhams.com.