RESIDENTS have called for an unoccupied mill for be demolished after a series of arson attacks on the premises.

Neighbours living near James Lever Mill, in Worsel Street, Bolton, say they cannot sleep at nights and are living in fear of a major fire at the mill which could spread to their houses.

In the latest incident, firefighters were called to the mill at 1.30am yesterday.

Crews spent 30 minutes searching for a person reportedly trapped inside, after residents said that squatters lived in the building.

The blaze badly damaged the entrance to the property and left it smoke-logged.

Marcus Welding, whose house backs on the mill, said: "We have had seven fires at the mill in the past two months.

"None of us are sleeping at night and last Sunday I stood on the landing just waiting for the next arson attack to happen."

The most serious attack on the mill happened last month when fire threatened to engulf an electricity sub-station in the grounds of the mill.

The 31-year-old father of two young children added: "It does not bear thinking about what would have happened had we been asleep.

"The police and the firefighters have been brilliant but the property should be demolished. It's danger to residents.

"The council should take on themselves to force the owner to demolish it if it is of no use."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We to encourage owners of disused properties to demolish the buildings. No planning applications have been received to develop the site."