FIREFIGHTERS were called out eight times last night to deal with a series of arson attacks.

Fire crews in Atherton had to deal with two blazing cars, scorched bushes, burning rubbish and fires in wheelie bins.

At about 7.30pm firefighters were called to put out burning rubbish and trees in woodland off Leigh Road near Howe Bridge.

Just before midnight a wheelie bin in Wordsworth Avenue on the Hag Fold Estate was set on fire.

Shortly after midnight the firefighters put out a shop front fire in a shop in Cumberland Avenue on the Shakerley Estate.

An hour later the firefighters were on the Shakerley Estate again to put out a Montego Estate that had been set on fire in Devon Road.

The fire damaged the boot and back wheels of the car.

At about 2am firefighters went to Union Street in Tyldesley to put out a Fiat Punto that had been set on fire.

The front end, engine and front wheels were damaged.

Half an hour later the firefighters had to attend some bushes on Shakerley Road scrub land that had been set alight.

Another wheelie bin was set on fire on Stanley Street in Tyldesley at about 3 am.

Atherton fire service were also called out to Mornington High School but it turned out to be a false alarm. The spokesman said some of the fires could be related and the police had been informed.