AN ALARMING rise in the number of car fires is plaguing Runcorn, warn emergency crews.

Eight vehicles were torched within just three days.

An Astra car was set alight opposite St Bertelines, Norton Lane, shortly after midnight on Saturday.

Minutes later, another burning vehicle was discovered by residents in Cotton Lane, Halton Lodge.

Two more cars, a Vauxhall Cavalier and Rover Vitesse were gutted by vandals in Shepherds Row, Castlefields at 3.25am the same morning.

A red Metro was destroyed in Grangemoor, around 1am on Monday.

A blazing Ford Escort woke neighbours in Cotton Lane, Halton Lodge, at 4am.

Minutes later, another double arson attack left a Peugeot 606 and Suzuki billowing thick black smoke in nearby Halton Lodge Avenue.

The police are investigating and appealing for information.