'COWARDLY' yobs have targeted a disabled man for a second time after setting fire to his letterbox.

Police were called at about 7.45am today to Shearwater Drive, Blackburn, after the letterbox was set on fire.

The incident comes after people also set the letterbox of the house on fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Today's incident saw the man smell the smoke while he was in bed.

After then hearing the fire alarm go off, he got out of bed and reacted quickly to use water to put out the flames.

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

A Shearwater Drive resident said: "The man smelt the smoke while he was in bed and then heard the fire alarm going off.

"So he got to the bathroom and chucked a jug of water onto the fire, so it was out before fire crews arrived."

He described the perpetrators as 'cowardly'.

He added: "There's not of damage to the letterbox from the outside but there is damage to the inside and the plastic has melted because of the fire.

"I can't believe this has happened again after the other day and a new letterbox was put in, now it will have to be replaced or repaired again.

"The people who do this are cowardly terrorising a disabled man like this."

A fire service spokesman said: "One crew from Blackburn attended the scene and the fire was out by the time crews arrived."

A police spokeswoman said: "We attended at around 7.45am on Friday to reports of a letterbox on fire at a house on Shearwater Drive.

"The fire is being treated as arson and is currently under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log number 0290 of June 15.