POLICE are searching for a woman in connection with fire attacks at three city centre shops.

On Wednesday, June 11, four shops were attacked by a mystery fire bug, and thousands of pounds worth of clothes were destroyed.

The first fire was reported in the women's casual clothing section at Debenhams in the Fishergate Centre at around 3pm, then shortly afterwards fires were spotted in Woolworths, Marks and Spencers and TK Maxx.

Debenhams are facing a bill of around £24,000 after the sprinkler system was set off, drenching clothes in the store.

Now Preston CID are looking for a woman caught near the scene of one of the fires.

She is in her early twenties, 5ft tall with a medium build and brown hair, and wearing a white baseball cap, a blue coloured t-shirt with a white band on the chest area, and three quarter length navy blue trousers fastened just below the knee.

DC Michelle Gray said: "We are keen to find out who she is and speak to her, and we are appealing for any other witnesses to come forward."