A DISABLED man woke up in the early hours of the morning to find his letterbox had been set on fire.

Police were called at 5.25am on Tuesday to Shearwater Drive, Blackburn, after the letterbox was found on fire.

The man woke to the smell of smoke and his fire alarm going off.

After getting out of bed the man reacted quickly and used water to put the flames out.

Police believe the fire was started deliberately and are appealing for witnesses.

Detective sergeant Nick Hodgeson said: “Thankfully the man woke before the fire got out of control and was able to extinguish it himself.

“This is a truly shocking crime, especially considering that the man is disabled.

"It is very fortunate that the fire was caught early and nobody was hurt.

“Detectives investigating the fire have established that another property nearby was recently targeted in a similar way.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area but are appealing to anyone with information to let us know.

"We are also asking the local community to be extra vigilant to any suspicious activity in the area.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting log number 166 of June 12.