FARNWORTH is to be one of five trouble spots targeted by a new team aiming to beat the menace of firebugs.

The head of a newly-formed fire investigation and arson reduction team has revealed that the town comes high up on the list of Greater Manchester's worst areas for arson attacks on vehicles and buildings.

The Greater Manchester Fire Service was given £40,000 to set up the team.

John Henry, manager of the new unit running the team, said: "It should be up and running in the autumn."

He said that Rochdale was the worst area in Greater Manchester for incidents or arson, but Farnworth came close behind.

The Government-backed Arson Control Forum has just published results of new research which highlights the need for a new drive to pinpoint causes of arson and devise strategies for tackling the serious and complex crime.

Its report shows that youngsters are responsible for more than a third of all arson attacks on cars and property, while joyriding and insurance fraud are behind nearly half of all vehicle fires.

The number of malicious fires has doubled over the last decade to become the largest single cause of major blazes in this country, with brigades reporting more than 100,000 incidents in the last year.

The research was done by psychologist Professor David Canter of Liverpool University, who revealed that youth disorder -- such as vandalism and children playing with fire -- was a principal cause of blazes.

Mr Henry said: "Once the team is up and running, we will visit the trouble spots including Farnworth and, using police data, try to work out the cause and what we can do to prevent it."

He added: "Our aim is to reduce the incidents of arson. While the team is not the first in the country, it is certainly unique to Greater Manchester.

"It would eventually involve other bodies, drawing on the expertise of police and other agencies."