A MOTORIST used a garden hose to save his luxury £56,000 Mercedes convertible from being destroyed by an arson attack early today.

Shahzad Choudry, who only bought the T-reg CLK 320 "soft top" a few days ago, doused the flames until the fire brigade arrived at his home in Manchester Road, Nelson.

Firefighters were called to the large detached house at 4am today after Mr Choudry raised the alarm.

Sub officer Gary Ibbitson, of Nelson fire station, said: "His mother was up and on the telephone her husband in Pakistan. She saw the reflection of flames in the window, looked out and saw the car on fire.

"She shouted to her son who ran out into the garden and used a hose to try and put the fire out.

"The fire caused some expensive damage to the soft top and the trimmings and paintwork of the car. It's put a hole in the roof and damaged part of the sill. He'd only had it a couple of days." Mr Choudry said: "My mother woke me up and I looked outside. The petrol can was on fire by the side of the car."

Firefighters found a petrol can, a rag and petrol spilt around the car and said the fire had been started deliberately.

The police were informed. Inspector Jeff Brown, of Nelson police, said: "We have made inquiries at the local petrol station to see if anyone has bought petrol in a can last night."

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