FIREFIGHTERS today feared a derelict mill was again becoming the target of vandals after they were called to two separate blazes at the site over the weekend.

Officers said they are treating the incidents at the former Europlast Mill, in Blackburn Road, Church, as suspicious, after two rubbish fires were started inside the building.

The latest incident happened about 6.45pm on Sunday when firecrews were called to the premises and used a hose reel to put out the flames.

Twenty four hours earlier they were called to the premises after offenders had gained entry by ripping metal panelling from the entrance door.

Fire crews issued a warning to vandals in December last year that they were putting lives at risk after they were called out to the site more than six times in one month.

A similar warning was also issued last April after another series of fires, one of which set fire to a number of rolls of plastic.

Now they fear the trouble is starting all over again and sub officer Keith Cunliffe said: "Someone has ripped the metal panelling off the door and set fire to some rubbish inside.

"We used to deal with a lot of fires at the building but over the last few months we haven't had as many until now. We'll just have to see how long it takes them to start up again.

"A lot of damage has already been done to the building because of past fires. It's a big building with four levels and a lot of holes in the floors.

"The extent of the damage already makes it very dangerous for people to go into without it being made even more so by people who keep setting fire to it."