THE wreckage of a burnt out car is the remains of the latest in a series of car fires in the area. 

A BMW was driven onto the basketball court in Barlow Park last night and is believed by residents to have been set alight by 'kids'.

A dog walker in the park said there had probably been around six similar incidents in the park since Christmas. 

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: "This happens all the time. 

"They're kids, probably about 16 or 17 years old. We're sick of it, you can't even walk your dog in Barlow Park. It's crazy."

He described how cars would be driven onto the park from the nearby roads, including Barlow Park Avenue and driven around the fields before being set on fire. 

He added: "The police have got enough to do without having to come here."

Firefighters were called to the park at about 2am last night and watch manager Craig Cubbins from Bolton North Fire Station said: "It was a total burn out when we arrived.

"It took us around 25 minutes using hose reels to put it out and it'll have a massive environmental impact.

"When cars burn they give off a lot of toxic substances which enter the water table and are given off in the black toxic smoke."

A woman who lives in Barlow Park Avenue, said: "It's been a problem for years. 

"It's young men and women driving about all over the place at stupid speeds. 

"It was exploding last night, sounding like dull thuds, I'm assuming that was the petrol tank and the tyres. It upset my dog and I reported it.

"It's something that occurs on a regular basis."