A PHANTOM wheelie bin arsonist who has spent weeks terrorising the streets of a town has struck again.

Two waste disposal bins were set alight between 6 and 7am on Thursday morning in the Audley Range area of Blackburn, marking the fifth and sixth time that fire services have been called out to attend such incidents in recent weeks.

Concerns have now been raised about the drain these arson attacks, which have all happened along the Accrington Road area, are having on emergency services in the area.

Ward councillor for the Audley and Queen's park area, Yusuf Jan-Virmani, said he would be looking to take action to ensure this behaviour is stopped as soon as possible.

He said: "We will be making people aware about the fact that this is going on.

"It's hard to understand how some of these attacks are taking place as many of the streets and alleyways in the area are gated to prevent these kind of things from happening.

"People need to remember to bring their bins in after collection as if they are not left on the street they will be more likely targets."

At the end of September firefighters hit out at the arsonist after they attended to the area for a fourth time in a matter of weeks.

Speaking on Thursday a spokesperson said: "This is becoming a real drain on resources for us.

"We would ask people in the area to please be vigilant and to make sure they keep their bins off the streets."

Even those living in the area are now becoming concerned about the arsonist's antics, with one Cherry Tree street resident saying its only a matter of time before something much worse happens.

She said: "It worries me as some of the bins are place closed to cars and houses and fire spreads so easily.

"We are all assuming that this is just one person but it could be a group. All we do know is that they come out early in the morning and nobody has ever seen them in action - nobody has a clue who it could be."

Another added: "If it continues we'd like to get some kind of system in place whereby people are keeping a look-out so we can try and catch them.

"I think weirdest thing about it is why on earth anybody would get up so early to do this? Its bizarre."