ARSONISTS targeted two central Beds villages this weekend, with four attacks taking place within an hour and a half.

Firefighters battled the blazes in the early hours of Sunday morning in and around Henlow and Clifton.

Emergency services were called to the first fire at around 1.11am outside Arlesey Road in Henlow.

Debris and lorry tires were alight and extinguished with buckets of water.

Around half an hour later, at 1.43am, two wheelie bins, six trees and the plastic frontage of a house were involved in a fire, which was attended by two pumps from Hitchin and Shefford.

One hose reel was used.

There was a skip fire in Whiston Crescent, Clifton, at 2.30am and five minutes later there was a bin fire near a property on Henlow’s High Street.

Bedfordshire police say they are treating Sunday morning’s fires as arson.

A police spokesman said: “Bedfordshire Police can confirm that they are investigating a series of arson attacks in the Henlow and Clifton area.

“The arsons took place between 1am and 2am on Sunday 13th February, during which 5 bins were damaged along with a skip and hedges, one bin was also reported stolen although nobody was hurt.

“The offences happened in Elm Close, Coach Road and the High Street in Henlow whilst another offence took place in Whiston Crescent in Clifton.

“Safer Neighbourhood Officers are aware of the offences and are seeking to identify those responsible for the damage, anyone with information can contact PS Andy Rivers on 01234 842531.”