A CAR was destroyed in a suspected arson attack early today at a crime plagued Bolton health centre.

Fire crews were called to a car park at Avondale Health Centre in Brownlow Fold just after midnight.

An Austin Metro was destroyed in the blaze, which is being treated as suspicious.

As reported in the BEN, the centre escaped serious damage in an arson attack last week. Security guards have now been recruited to protect staff.

Employees say gangs of youths have smashed windows and skylights, damaged doctors' cars, verbally abused staff and hurled glass bottles. Staff say many are aged as young as seven.

The centre is the first in Bolton to employ security guards.