VANDALS cost taxpayers thousands of pounds during an arson rampage through Winchester that saw nine bins set alight in less than an hour.

The cost to the public purse has been estimated at more than £3,000 but firefighters say that it could have been much worse.

Police in the city are now studying closed-circuit television footage of the spree and are promising to take the strongest possible action against the offenders once they are caught.

Fires were started in bins on Winchester's Broadway, North Walls, Friarsgate, Union Street, Durngate Terrace, Garbett Road and at Winnall Primary School.

A spokesman for Winchester's firefighters, said: "These were pointless and dangerous incidents that wasted our time and resources.

"Thankfully, we were alerted to all of them before they got out of control, but their location meant they could have caused serious damage if they hadn't been spotted."

It costs approximately £250 every time a fire crew and truck are sent to an incident, while replacing the burnt out bins is expected to run to a least a further £1,000.

Anyone with any information about the incidents has been asked to contact Winchester Police on 0845 045 4545.