A HAMPSHIRE village is coming to terms with yet another arson attack - the fifth in three months.

This time the firebugs struck at the Christmas Crib scene in Lyndhurst's High Street, destroying the wooden figures and causing damage estimated at £500.

In separate incidents in October, three buses were torched in Lyndhurst's main car park, bushes were burned and a car was set alight in nearby Rufus Court.

In November, a second car was burned out at almost the same spot, and it was revealed that a bottle - which could have held petrol - had been thrown through a window at Lyndhurst Museum.

Local councillors called for urgent action to protect the priceless book collection from potential arson attack, and repeated their demands for a stepped-up police presence in the village.

The extent of the blaze at the Christmas tableau was limited - thanks to quick action by Michael Fermor, night porter at the Crown Hotel opposite.

He spotted flames at 3.30am on Saturday, December 23, and tackled the fire with an extinguisher. Lyndhurst-based firefighters attended to make the scene safe.

Crown hotel assistant manager Christina Prater said: "We are very proud that our night porter Michael took measures to stop the blaze. But it is a great shame that someone spoiled the crib scene which gave pleasure to everyone. The little stable is still there, but sadly the display has all gone."

Lyndhurst's district councillor Pat Wyeth said the latest arson attack was serious and worrying. "What is going to happen next?" she asks. "The crib has been the target of vandals before and now they've torched it. This is the fifth or sixth arson attack in the village - two at Rufus Court, the recycling bins, the buses, some bushes near the car park and now this.

"Local people are rightly very concerned, but when I ask for improved police presence, I keep getting the same response - Lyndhurst has a low crime rate."

Mrs Wyeth resolves: "We are not getting the service we need from the police, and I plan to follow this up in the new year."