TWO teenagers have been sentenced for causing an arson which was investigated as part of a spate of deliberate fires in Astley Bridge and Halliwell.

A 16-year-old of Bromley Cross and a 15-year-old, from Bolton, set fire to bins outside Sharples News in Sharples Avenue, Sharples.

Flames spread to a window of the store, causing damage worth £3,050.

It happened on July 12 and was one of at least six crimes investigated by police that occurred in a small area of the borough within a week.

The youths each admitted a single count of arson at hearings on separate days at Bolton Youth Court.

Warren Fox, a Liberal Democrat campaigner for Astley Bridge, said afterwards: "Good news for Astley Bridge. I'm not sure it still addresses the additional cases on Eagley Bank and Florence Avenue. I hope that the punishment will deter them from doing it again in the future."

The elder boy was sentenced to four-month detention and a training order.

He was ordered to pay £250 compensation and a £30 victim surcharge.

The court noted: "Only a Detention and Training Order is appropriate because of setting (the fire) at night in dangerous circumstances, under the influence of drugs and whilst on a court order for poor record of offending and previous failure to comply with orders of the court."

The younger co-defendant received a 12-month referral order and was ordered to pay £125 compensation, a £15 victim surcharge and court costs of £85.

Other incidents logged by police in the same week include the driver's seat of a car being burned in Crumpsall Street, Bolton, a seat of a car being set alight in Old Road, Astley Bridge, a convertible car's fabric roof being set alight in Park Avenue, Astley Bridge, and a car set alight in Frances Street, Halliwell.

A silver car parked in the car park All Souls community centre in Astley Street, Astley Bridge, and a car in Charlotte Street, were also burnt.

Police confirmed the two sentenced youths were not connected to any of the other offences.