POLICE are stepping up the hunt for a serial arsonist after a spate of fires outside town centre shops and businesses.

At the weekend firefighters were called to 11 separate blazes in rubbish bins throughout the town.

Crews received the first call at midnight on Friday. The attacks are being linked to three previous incidents -- all believed to be the work of the same man.

The most recent blaze was at 5am on Sunday. Officers from Bolton Central Fire Station were called to a wheelie-bin fire outside Hampsons bakery in Ashburner Street.

The fire was contained to the bin and there was no damage to property.

But station officer Dave Pimblett said the attack bore all the hallmarks of the serial arsonist's work.

Previously several bins outside Marks and Spencer, McDonalds, and the Balmoral Pub in Bradshawgate have been torched.

The arsonist's actions have caused consternation among the brigade, police and Bolton Council who are faced with a £1,000 bill for repairing the damage.

Detectives have scoured town centre CCTV footage in the hope of snaring the fire starter.

But Detective Inspector Pete Jackson of Astley Bridge CID said that the hunt for the culprit was still underway after Sunday morning's attack.

Station officer Pimblett warned of the consequences of the arsonist's actions. He added: "Nuisance calls are a problem because there could be a house fire somewhere when we are sending two engines to a bin fire in the town centre.

"Quite simply, people like this could cost lives."