ARSONISTS torched a speed camera in London Road after putting a tyre around it and dousing it in petrol.

The burning camera, near the junction of Lymington Avenue, Leigh, was spotted at 3am yesterday by a resident who heard screeching tyres as the culprits fled.

Fire crews were immediately called and pulled the tyre off the camera, saving it from serious damage.

Leading firefighter Kevin Wheeler, of Leigh fire station, said: “We managed to save the camera, although there are a few scorch marks.” An investigation is under way.