A FIRE started by arsonists which destroyed a rare car in Horwich.

Today Pat Edge, 53, of St Anne's Road, Horwich, said the Morris Minor 1000 had only 20,000 miles on the clock.

The fire started last night at around 9pm when firebugs broke into her garage and torched the £3,500 white car - bought only a few months ago.

Neighbours rang Mrs Edge after they saw smoke billowing from her garage. She and a friend found the locks broken off and smoke coming out.

Firemen were called but couldn't save the car. Her partner, Dr John Ellis, a Horwich GP, had bought the car with her on the Isle of Man. It had never been off the island and had a very low mileage.

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