WHEELIE bins are thought to be have been set on fire deliberately in Penzance this morning.

Cornwall Fire Service's Critical Control received a 999 call at 5.20am to say that the bins were on fire in the Promenade and Gwavas Road areas of the town.

A major fire appliance was mobilised and the fire crew used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fires.

Arson is suspected and Devon & Cornwall Police have been informed.

Nuisance wheelie bin fires are a problem in some neighbourhoods, typically causing costing up to £1,650, including damage to buildings, cleaning up and the cost of replacement.

The fire service's tips to keep your wheelie bin safe -

Don’t:

• put out your bin until it is due for collection

• overfill the bin or leave loose waste around it

• store in close proximity to a building

• allow bins or waste to block escape routes

• store waste by windows or doors