A WOMAN who set fire to her Bewsey home because voices told her to has been remanded in Hollins Park hospital.

Linda Barlow, aged 40, set fire to a sofa in her Cartwright Street home on the morning of May 15.

Warrington Crown Court heard on Monday how a BT operator contacted police after receiving a call from Barlow saying she intended to start a fire.

When officers arrived they found the defendant walking along the street crying and looking agitated.

After seeing smoke pour out of Barlow’s house police went in to find the sofa alight.

A pile of clothes were next to the flames, the court heard.

Barlow then approached officers at 11am and said ‘the voices told me to do it’.

She removed a lighter from her pocket and admitting starting the blaze.

During her police interview the defendant said she dropped a lit cigarette and left the house to get away from the voices.

The court heard that Barlow has a history of mental illness.

Judge Hale sectioned her under the mental health act. She will continue to be treated at Hollins Park.