Arsonists have wiped out a pigeon fancier's birds for the second time in six months.

Up to 70 pigeons are believed to have been killed when a blaze destroyed three lofts on Friday night.

In March this year, teenager Alan Todd's entire stock of birds was killed in another arson attack on his cree at allotments close to his home.

The 16-year-old had taken over the loft attacked this time from father Billy, who was asleep when the blaze began.

Mr Todd was woken when heat from the blaze smashed the living room window as the fire spread to the family flat in Felling, Gateshead.

He escaped before firefighters arrived. Police are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Billy Todd said: "My father used to keep pigeons and that's where Alan got his interest from. He has been very upset.

"I was very lucky not to be hurt when the fire broke out."

Acting sub-officer Alan Scales, of Gateshead fire station, said: "All the birds inside the crees perished."