A HOUSEHOLDER has been left devastated after his shed was destroyed in an arson attack.

Chris Holt, who moved into his rented cottage in Berkeley Road in Astley Bridge four weeks ago, was left stunned after the attack last night.

Police are now investigating the blaze, which also badly damaged his neighbour's shed just after 11.20pm on Monday.

Mr Holt was watching TV when he heard what he thought was rain outside.

When he went to investigate he saw a "huge orange light" filling his garden.

He said: "It was bright orange and I had no idea what was on fire.

"It's lucky really because if I had not have been off on Tuesday I would have been in bed and it could have spread a lot further in another few minutes.

"A couple of years ago the lady down the street had the same thing happen to her. Why would a bunch of kids be out that late? I hope it's not a vendetta."

Mr Holt, who works for E.on in Horwich, had moved from Bromley Cross.

He added: "I thought I had moved into a nice cottage with a lovely garden, and now it looks horrendous."

A neighbour said she had let her dog out just five minutes before noticing the fire and seen nothing.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: "I don't understand how someone could walk down here and set a shed on fire.

"I put my dog out and they must have already been here doing it.

"Five minutes later my son shouted there was a fire and I saw this huge flame down the street.

"It was quite frightening.

"We are talking in the street now about getting something put up at the back to close it off."

The blaze was started "maliciously" according to a fire service spokesman, in one of the sheds, but spread to the one next door.

Nobody was hurt and the fire did not spread to either house, although Mr Holt and witnesses describe how it came close to the large trees at the back.

The fire service has so far been unable to work out precisely how the blaze was started as the damage to the sheds is almost total.

The incident was reported to police by the fire service and they were planning to speak with Mr Holt later today.