AN arsonist has been given a four month community order after pleading guilty to setting fire to a wheelie bin.

John Robert Hardman, 39, from Marsden Avenue, Old Eccleston, admitted one count of arson on Argyle Street in the early hours of Thursday, December 12.

Under the terms of the order he will be placed under curfew between 7pm and 7am. He was also ordered to pay compensation to cover the cost of the bin as well as a £60 victim surcharge.

Afterwards, Detective Sergeant John Black said: "Our officers worked swiftly to put the person responsible before the courts and we will continue to work tirelessly to address this issue.

"We have worked closely with the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and local council to identify those responsible for setting bins on fire.

"Setting bins on fire is very dangerous as it can cause serious injury to the people who start them and to anyone close by.

"Merseyside Police is committed to identifying those responsible and are currently following up a number of lines of enquiry in regards to a number of other bin fires.

I would ask that anyone who has any information about bin fires to contact police on the 101 number or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."