AN arson investigation has been launched after someone tried to set a bank on fire.

Police were called to Santander in winter Hey Lane, Horwich, just before 9am yesterday after a flaming paper was put through the letterbox.

The fire failed to spread and went out, causing no damage to the building. The person who put the paper through the letterbox was pictured on CCTV, but the footage is blurry and hard to make out.

The arsonist is described as wearing dark clothing and carrying a dark bag and a plastic bag from a supermarket.

It is the second serious incident at the bank, after an armed robbery took place in September.

Firefighters went to the bank later and have installed a cover to prevent further similar incidents. A police spokesman said: “This is an arson investigation and we would urge anyone with information to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.