'If they had to play with fire, why didn't they let my birds fly away?'

Devastated owner George Skidmore, 72, says he cannot bear to look at the burnt remains of his pigeon loft, which was found ablaze late on Thursday.

Mr Skidmore, who has had two triple heart-bypass operations and continues to suffer lung problems, has declared an end to his beloved hobby.

Firefighters were called to the allotment site in Lingdale, near Guisborough, east Cleveland, at about midnight.

But after breaking their way into the compound, they found it was too late to save any of the birds and all 81 perished in the flames.

Cleveland Police and the fire brigade are investigating the blaze, which they described as suspicious.

Mr Skidmore said: "We have been plagued for years down at the allotments with gangs of kids hanging around, but I really don't know who did this - I have no enemies.

"The police told me if they don't catch who did this within 24 hours, there's only a very slim chance they'll catch them at all."

After warnings from doctors about his health, Mr Skidmore spent more than 20 years without his precious birds.

But after his grandson, Michael Jackson, 22, vowed to help out with the physical duties around the loft, Mr Skidmore was able to restart his hobby last year.

But the birds had not even reached adult racing age when the arsonists struck.

He said: "I just can't believe someone would want to do that. Why couldn't they let the birds out if they wanted to play with fire.

"I'm absolutely devastated. I can't go down there and look at the damage. I won't be having any more pigeons - I couldn't bear to go through this again."

The broken-hearted pensioner told how a friend on his way home from a local pub noticed the flames and alerted the fire brigade.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said damage caused to the hut was estimated at £2,000.

An appeal was issued for witnesses or anyone with information about the blaze to get in touch with Detective Constable Chris Marchant, of Redcar CID, on (01642) 302626.