A WOMAN who saw her dreams of running a takeaway go up in smoke last year is asking people across the town to help her get her business back on track.

Ma-Mi Hartwell, who ran Mama’s van, in Moray Road, Elgin Industrial Estate, has been trying to restart her business ever since it was gutted in a suspected arson attack in November.

The 53-year-old could lose her house in the next few months if she does not get it running again soon.

“Everything is just falling apart around me. I will end up homeless if I can’t get my business back,” she said.

“I don’t know where to turn or what to do next. I need someone who could either donate a van or help me financially, because in two or three months they will repossess the house.

“It has just destroyed my life.”

Fire crews were alerted to the blaze at about 1.20am on November 16 and police classed the incident as criminal damage.

Officers examined CCTV but nobody has been arrested.

“I have tried and tried and I have put pleas out all over the place and put a big A sign up where the van used to be,” she said.

“I am faced with the bank repossessing my house soon, which will result in personal bankruptcy because I bought the house just before the recession.

“I had just introduced new food. I was cooking roast pork with crackling and apple sauce, homemade lasagne and cottage pie.”

After the fire, Ma-Mi was offered help by a woman who wanted 50 per cent interest, but Ma-mi said she could not afford the offer.

Ma-Mi bought a container to run the business from a few months ago but she had complaints that the container, which was parked in her usual spot in Elgin Industrial Estate, was unsightly and she had to remove it after four days.

Anyone who can help Ma-Mi find another burger van should telephone reporter Emma Dunn on 01793 501797.