A FIREBUG has put green-fingered growers on red alert.

For the third time in less than a year, prominent members of Tyldesley Allotments and Smallholders' Association have suffered at the hands of a mean arsonist.

"I can't understand why anyone would do this," said association committee man Frank Stockton, surveying his smouldering plot in the middle of a cluster of Shakerley Common allotments on the edge of town.

"This is the third blaze on the allotments in less than 12 months. I haven't done any harm to anyone."

The blaze was spotted around late on Saturday night, shortly after Mr Stockton had left the "Cabbage" social club to make his way home.

A passer-by saw flames and alerted club members.

Treasurer Roy Stott said: "We called the fire brigade but the fire already had a firm hold."

Process worker Mr Stockton, of Crawford Avenue, surveyed the damage with Mr Stott and neighbouring plot holder Tommy Patrick: "It isn't kids who are doing this. One shed was burned to the ground and all my seeds and potato sets were lost, and they tried to set fire to another shed."

Last summer champion gardener Roy Shaw saw 30 years work go up in smoke when buildings were deliberately torched on his prize plot just yards away from Frank's. Neighbouring plot buildings were also set alight.

Ironically both plots are in the group used to film a soon to be seen on TV play "King Leek" which featured allotment intrigue and sabotage.

A Fire Brigade spokesman confirmed fires had been caused by burning paper pushed under both shed floors.

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