RESIDENTS in Summerseat could set up their own "home guard" to protect the village.

Plans for a huge Home Watch scheme, which could be the largest in Greater Manchester, follow a spate of alleged arson attacks which left villagers living in fear and one family homeless.

Public meetings have already been held in parts of the village urging residents to take up the scheme.

Home Watch administrator Mr Keith Middleton said: "We do not want anything like the fires to happen again. It is a national fact that crime is reduced when such a scheme is in operation."

A meeting for villagers in the Thorn Street, India Street, Beech Street, Plantation View, Riverside Drive and Waterside Road areas is planned for Tuesday at Brooksbottom Cricket Club at 7.30pm.

Mr Middleton said: "Having one big scheme means that everyone talks to everyone, rather than just talking to someone in their own street, so more information can be passed on."

A man will appear at Minshull Street Crown Court on September 28 facing two charges of arson with intent to endanger life at Cliff Avenue in Summerseat, and Lumn Street, Bury. He is also accused of arson in Trent Drive, Bury.