DETECTIVES are appealing for a woman who may hold vital evidence about an arson attack to contact them.

A detached house in Andrew Lane, Sharples, was targeted at around 2.15pm on Monday.

The arsonist smashed a side window of the property with a brick and threw an accelerant into the house, setting it alight.

Police believe a woman in a car turned into Andrew Lane during the attack and made a note of the registration number of the offender's vehicle.

Sgt Mike Gladwin, of Bolton CID, said: "We were told that there was a female driver who took down the registration number of the offender's car before it left the scene.

"We are very keen to talk to this lady as this could help us track down the offender."

A teenage girl was in the property at the time and raised the alarm.

No-one was hurt in the fire but a settee was badly damaged.

A stocky, white youth with a skinhead haircut was seen running away from the house.

Anyone who saw the incident is asked to call Bolton CID on 0161 8565757.