AT TIMES it seems that the bad outweighs the good in this world.

But, when you look under the surface, you realise that this is not so.

Consider the case of Tommy Talbot and his smallholding in Mill Hill in Blackburn.

For years the pensioner has had to put up with mindless yobs who have broken into his stables and farm complex, known to the locals as Tommy's Pen.

The thugs have caused damage down the years, but last night they dredged the depths of depravity when they set alight to a storage hut - with Tommy's pet Jack Russell terrier Pippa inside.

It is more than probable they knew the dog was inside because it would have started barking.

Today Tommy is distraught.

But his friends, and he has many, are rallying round to help rebuild the hut, although it will be difficult to replace the £2,500 worth of riding tackle destroyed in the blaze.

They are appealing for anything that would help them in their labour of love and friendship.

They are worried how 76-year-old will recover from the attack but, with friends like his, he will have all the support in the world.

In the meantime the hunt is on for the morons who killed Pippa.

When they are caught, the full force of the law must be brought to bear - if only to emphasise that the vast majority of the community will not condone such brutish behaviour.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.