POLICE are hunting arsonists who set a newspaper alight and tried to shove it through an elderly woman’s letterbox.

The frightening incident was part of a night-time fire-starting spree in the Lordshill and Lordswood areas of Southampton.

Firebugs left a trail of destruction from Lordshill Road to Robina Green setting ablaze a fence, an estate agent’s for sale board, a rubbish bin, a car and a canopy attached to another vehicle.

They also tried to post a burning newspaper through the letterbox of an elderly woman’s flat.

Nobody was injured in the attacks.

Police are urging witnesses to come forward to help them with their investigation.

Detective Constable Jonny Hyland said: “We are particularly keen to speak to a person who is believed to have assisted two house occupants by knocking on their doors and telling them that their property was burning.

"We believe this person is a crucial eyewitness, and we are very keen to speak to them.

“Equally if you were in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious, please contact me.”

Anyone with any information should call Shirley CID on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.