AN investigation has begun after hackers launched a ‘sophisticated and sustained cyber attack’ on a leading Lake District company’s website.

Bosses at Lakeland Ltd, whose flagship kitchenware store is in Windermere and warehouse in Kendal, said ‘criminals’ had accessed two encrypted databases late last Friday night.

Managing Director Sam Rayner moved to reassure customers in an e-mail that there was no evidence that personal details had been stolen.

“We do not know for certain that the hackers succeeded in stealing any data,” he said. “However, since there is a theoretical risk and because it is our policy to be open and honest with our customers, we are being proactive in alerting you.”

Mr Rayner said that immediate action had been taken to block the attack, repair the system and to investigate the damage done.

The email, sent to customers late on Tuesday night, said all passwords had been deleted as a precaution and must be reset when next logging on to the site.

It also advised customers using the same passwords on other online accounts to change them immediately.

Mr Rayner added that the website used the ‘best security systems available’ and the hackers had gained access to the site using ‘concerted effort and considerable skill’.

“We only wish that those responsible used their talent for good rather than a criminal end,” he said. The security of our customers' data is hugely important to us and we are devastated to have fallen victim to these criminals.”

The company said the attackers had used a recently identified flaw in the Java software used by the servers running the website.

The attack did not impact stores or the Mail Order Call Centre. Anyone concerned should contact the customer services team on 015394 88100.