A FIRE-raiser is believed to to be responsible for eight arson attacks in Padiham within 36 hours.

Most of the incidents have been relatively minor with the exception of a VW Polo which was destroyed.

The incidents have cost the fire and rescue service in around £4,000 as well as taking their time and the risk that they could be dealing with one of the incidents when a genuine life-threatening situation occurs.

The attacks started at 7.23pm on Monday when rubbish in Trinity Close was deliberately set on fire. The catalogue of crime continued:

11.34pm -- fire in a wheelie bin, Hill Street

11.49pm -- rubbish fire St James Place

11.53pm -- litter bin on lamp post Burnley Road

Tuesday, 12.01am -- wheelie bin, Cotton Street

1.26am wheelie bin Hill Street

3.54pm -- VW Polo destroyed, Grove Lane

Wednesday, 12.01am -- allotment building, Bedford Place.

Leading firefighter Nick Sutcliffe said: "We are sure all these fires were started deliberately.

"Some of them are so close together in time, some literally only minutes apart."

He appealed for any witnesses or anyone with information to ring the police on 01282 425001 or to contact the arson hot line free and in total anonymity on 0800 555111.

He said: "Most of them may appear to be only minor incidents. But all incidents involving fire can be serious.

"They cost public money and involve our time when we may be needed at some other possibly life-threatening incident. It may be children involved but one fire was at 1am.