A YOUNG man has escaped injury after a shed close to his house was set alight in a suspected arson attack at the weekend.

A police spokesman said the garden shed was completely destroyed, while the blaze caused external damage to the house in Christchurch Place, Peterlee, County Durham.

Police were alerted to the fire by members of the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, shortly before 5.15pm on Saturday.

Detective Constable Martin Wilson said: “It is believed the shed was set alight deliberately.

“Fortunately the 19-year-old man who was asleep in the house at the time was not injured.”

Four cars - a black Renault Clio, a silver-coloured Toyota Yaris, a black Peugeot 107 and a yellow VW Beetle - also had paint sprayed onto them in the area on Saturday afternoon.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents is urged to contact police at Peterlee on 101 quoting reference DHM-18052013-0377.