A MOTORCYCLIST has been left devastated after his bike was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

Colin Mason's bike was parked on the driveway outside his home in Abbey Close, Radcliffe, when it was set on fire at about 4am this morning.

Mr Mason and his wife Joan were alerted to the fire after being awoken by bangs.

He said: "That bike was my pride and joy, I do not know why anyone would do this to me.

"We have no grievances with anyone.

"I just cannot believe it, I am absolutely gutted."

Mrs Mason added: "At first I thought it was someone's house, but then I realised the bike was on fire.

"The fire was so close to the house, it was just horrible.

"We have no idea what happened."

Fire crews, who are treating the fire as deliberate, were on the scene for about thirty minutes tackling the blaze.

The intensity of the blaze caused windows on the house to crack, while the front door and drive also sustained damage.

Mrs Mason added: "It is going to cost us thousands to fix this.

"The bike was immaculate. He has been working on it for weeks and spent hundreds of pounds on it.

"It was covered and sheeted so it was not just there on display.

"The person who did this is sick, I do not understand why they would do it."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Shortly after 4.40am on Tuesday, police were called by the fire service to reports that a motorbike was on fire on Abbey Close in Radcliffe.

"The fire service attended and the fire has since been extinguished. 

"No-one was injured during the incident, which is being treated as arson. 

"A joint investigation has been launched with GMFRS and enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 252 of 16/04/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."