FREQUENT arson attacks in an area of Darlington could force businesses to move out, it has been claimed.

Trevor Barnes, who rents a car compound, is so concerned about the number of fires in the Green Street area of the town that he has vowed to move out when his contract expires.

On Sunday night there were two fires in the area, off Yarm Road, near the town centre,

A car was set alight in a compound behind Green Street at about 3.40pm and at 10.40pm a skip of rubbish was set on fire.

Business people working in the area now say there have been so many fires that they do not want to carry on working there.

Mr Barnes said: "There have been so many fires in recent months that it is rare for us to go a weekend without an attack.

"It is frightening when these fires are being started so near businesses. You don't know from one night to the next what you are going to come back to."

Mr Barnes has become so concerned about his property that he has started night-time patrols around the Green Street area to try to deter offenders.

He said: "There don't seem to be any police here until there is trouble.

"I am sure it is kids, because there is no reason to set fire to skips full of rubbish.

"I can't risk losing my property, so I'm leaving next month, as soon as my contract is up.

"I feel sorry for people who run businesses around here and can't just move."

A police spokesman confirmed there had been two incidents on Sunday and said the car fire had actually been discovered by a patrolling policeman.

He said: "Both incidents have been classified as arson and, as such, are being investigated."