A SPATE of arson attacks - which have cost taxpayers over £4,000 - has led to concerns for the future of a recycling area.

The arsonists repeatedly set fire to recycling containers on Chapel Street, Egremont.

And Margaret Woodburn, clerk of Egremont Town Council, said: “We’re concerned, it’s a well used site and if people continue to set it on fire then we will lose it.

“It’s dangerous as well, it’s ridiculous that people can commit these stupid acts of vandalism.”

She added: “It doesn’t look very nice now, it has ruined the fence and if it continues Copeland Council would be within their rights to say enough is enough, so we would lose it.

“We rely on it to be able to recycle, otherwise people will be fly tipping and we’ll lose a major form of income.”

Repairs to the three burnt containers cost £1,500 while £1,000 was lost in income after the card and plastic could not be sold.

The cost of the damage also includes another £1,000 from lost recycling credits, £600 for disposal of the material, £300 to repair fencing which had been kicked in and burned and £150 to remove the burnt containers and replace them with new ones.

Firefighters first dealt with attacks on two large plastic and cardboard containers in early October, before a third container was set alight twice over the weekend beginning October 16.

Mrs Woodburn said: “If they burn it we’ve lost all the recycling material so it defeats the object.”

Chapel Street’s recycling area is looked after by Copeland Borough Council and Coun David Banks, portfolio holder for customers and communities, said: “We have not seen vandalism at this level for many years. It is not acceptable and residents should be aware of how much of their council tax is having to be used to address this.

“We would ask people to be extremely vigilant around recycling centres, especially at night. Please report any suspicious behaviour immediately to the police, and of course, report any fire to the fire service.

“We apologise that some containers have either been out of service for short periods due to this problem or used despite being fire damaged.”