A PENSIONER who lost all his gardening tools when his shed burned down at a March allotment, believes it was the work of arsonists. Over the last month, thieves and vandals have targeted the allotment in Norwood Road, and fire-fighters were called to the

A PENSIONER who lost all his gardening tools when his shed burned down at a March allotment, believes it was the work of arsonists.

Over the last month, thieves and vandals have targeted the allotment in Norwood Road, and fire-fighters were called to the blazing shed at 8pm last Thursday.

Now all Tony Brock, of Jubilee Court, has left of his shed is a pile of charred wood.

"I've had a plot down here for about 10 years, and nothing like this has ever happened before," he said.

"Tools have been stolen and others have had their shed windows smashed.

"Now this shed fire is the latest thing to happen down here.

"Now I'm retired, I'm down here most days and it was handy having my tools stored in the shed."

Terry Curtis of Burn Street, another gardener with a plot at the allotment said: "It's getting to the point now that when we come down here, we're apprehensive about what could happen next.

"When it happened, I was worried Tony would pack it all in. I'd like to put my shed up here, but now this has happened to Tony's, I'm not sure whether I should just yet."

An official investigation into the fire is continuing.

Fire damage: Tony Brock with the charred remains of his shed.

Picture: BRIAN PURDY