A FIREWORK dropped through an air vent is thought to have caused a fire which destroyed a caravan and damaged a 4 x 4 vehicle.

And the arsonists' Sunday night attack in Tyldesley has abruptly ended Parkinson's Disease sufferer Gordon Burrows' 12-year caravanning hobby.

Mr Burrows and his wife returned to their Cranleigh Drive home, off Bodmin Road, at about 9pm on Sunday to find their caravan gutted by fire.

Neighbours spotted the blaze after youths had been playing with fireworks in the ginnel by the side of the Burrows' home.

But firefighters were unable to save the caravan. The fire also damaged a four-wheel-drive car parked on the drive garden fencing, and scorched the side of the house.

Mr Burrows said: "They must have climbed over the fence on to the roof of the caravan and pushed a firework down through the air vent."

The luxury Swift Challenger 500SE, worth several thousand pounds, was only two-years-old.

Retired marine engineer Mr Burrows said: "My health is deteriorating, but I love caravanning -- now my choice has been made for me. We won't be replacing it."

Caravanning has been a major part of the Burrows' lives and they regularly toured Britain and Europe.

The couple's house backs on to open land and they say they have had problems with vandalism and under-age drinking, and last year had their garden wall pushed over, smashing a greenhouse.

Police are aware of the problems and, together with the local council and youth services, are trying to come up with "tolerated areas", where youths can meet away from residential areas.

One of these has already been set-up in Tyldesley Park and, according to police, has succeeded in reducing youth trouble by 66 per cent.

A police spokesman said: "In light of the recent incident, a review of the situation will be carried out, so we can develop a practical plan of action for the future."