An anarchist bookshop damaged in a “firebomb” attack in February held a celebratory reopening party on Saturday.

Freedom Press, in Whitechapel High Street, saw much of its stock destroyed as a blaze tore through the shop, which stocks anarchist books, pamphlets and newspapers.

The incident triggered an arson investigation, with staff at the shop attributing it to far right groups, which have targeted the shop in the past.

Despite reopening just days later, the shop held a grand reopening celebration at the weekend to thank those who helped with the clean-up effort. The blaze had destroyed at least 500 books, with “several thousand” damaged from smoke.