POLICE today appealed for help from the public after a firebug struck five times in 24 hours.

A leisure centre, a youth and community centre, a wagon and two cars were among the targets and police believe the offender could be a juvenile arsonist who has struck before.

DC Richard Booth, of Wheelton CID, said: "Obviously there is great concern and we would like to appeal to the public for any information.

"This person has a great interest in fire and would have shown behaviour like this previously."

The first incident occurred at a youth and community centre in Manor Road, Clayton-le-Woods, when a fire accelerant, such as petrol, was poured through the letterbox in the early hours of Saturday, and set alight.

The arsonist caused £250 worth of damage.

Then in the early hours of Sunday the firebug smashed his way into Clayton Green Sports Centre and used bin bags to start a blaze.

And on Swansea Lane a HGV cab parked in front of Swansea Mill was destroyed by fire, followed by two cars on Manor Road, opposite the mill, which were set alight and wrecked.

DC Booth said: "With the fires happening in such a close area and in such a short period of time common sense leads us to believe that we are looking for one person or persons who committed all of these."

Anyone with any information on the attacks should contact Chorley Police on 01257 269021.