FIREFIGHTERS are urging residents to only put their bins out on the morning of a collection after a spate of blazes close to homes in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Crews were called to 11 incidents between 12.35am and 5.45am where arsonists had set wheelie bins alight including bins behind restaurants on Hawleys Lane, Dallam and Winwick Road.

Cheshire Police say one man has been arrested and released without charge.

Firefighters' busy evening began with three separate blazes on Longshaw Street, Dallam in the space of an hour before they were called to douse flames in a skip and two large wheelie bins against the wall of the former Fordton Leisure Centre building on Winwick Road at 1.15am.

Multiple wheelie bins were set alight on Chiltern Road 15 minutes later as well as on Brendon Avenue and two separate calls on Toll Bar Road in Orford at 5.45am.

Station Manager for Warrington Paul Jackson said: “It has been an incredibly busy morning for the crews and shocking to see how reckless some people can be. Wheelie bin fires are so dangerous and can easily spread. In a number of the incidents this morning the bins on fire were right next to buildings and the outcome could have been so much worse."

Superintendent Martin Cleworth, from Cheshire Police, said “There will be a highly visible police presence in these areas during the day and night to reassure residents and to apprehend the people doing this.

“This is an extremely dangerous form of anti-social behaviour with potentially serious consequences and not something which can be tolerated. 

"I would appeal to anyone who might have information to come and speak to us.

“I also want to urge residents to be mindful of these incidents at this time and to keep wheelie bins in a secure place wherever possible.”

Police are looking to speak to a man seen riding a BMX style bike at the time of the incidents. 

He is described as in his early teens wearing a hooded top, a hat and having facial hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 quoting incident number 51, alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.