A SPEED camera keeping motorists to 20mph during major repairs on the Runcorn Widnes bridge was put out of action - by arsonists.

Vandals doused a power cable with petrol and set fire to it.

A workman spotted the blaze just before midnight on Sunday and put it out.

Firefighters were called to make it safe.

A Halton Council spokesperson, said: "The fire only damaged the power supply cable but put the camera out of action."

Engineers were repairing the damage as the World went to press on Tuesday.

Traffic trundled slowly over the bridge with long tail backs at the weekend as giant ramps were put in place.

State of the art technology is being used to replace 10 expansion joints on the 43-year-old structure.

Severe delays are expected for the next 14 weeks as engineers carry out weekend repairs.