A CAR has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

Fire crews from Bolton North were called to the blaze in Johnson Fold Avenue at around 4am on Saturday.

The black Volkswagen Golf was well alight when firefighters arrived and the engine was destroyed.

The car was parked on the road in front of a row of semi-detached houses when it went up in flames.

The vehicle belonged to a 28-year-old man — a father of two children, aged two and five. The man, who asked not to be named, is also a full-time carer to his partner.

He said: “We were all in bed when we heard someone shouting that there was a fire. I opened my curtains and saw the front of my car covered in flames.

“It’s ruined now. It’ll probably cost me about £800 to sort out. I use the car to take my girlfriend to hospital for her appointments and now I won’t be able to do that.

“If it was an arson attack, I think it’s disgusting that anyone would do something like that. It’s just a good job it was a diesel car and not petrol, otherwise it would have taken out the other cars parked on the street.”

The car and debris was removed by Bolton Council on Saturday morning.

A 54-year-old neighbour of the car-owner, who also asked not to be named, added: “I think it’s disgusting. At first I thought someone had left their lights on but when I got up I could see the car covered in flames with billowing out. Once everyone realised what was going on, they were all out in the street.

“It’s wrong because it doesn’t make you feel secure in your own area. Now it feels unsafe.”

Police confirmed inquiries were ongoing.