A DEVASTATED Bournemouth mum is appealing for information after an arson attack destroyed her car and baby son’s belongings at the weekend.

Helen Must, who lives with her 19-month-old son Joshua in Charminster has been left shaken by the blaze which destroyed her green Peugeot 307 in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The 25-year-old, who lives in Richmond Park Road, was woken around 3am when neighbours spotted the car alight after fire spread from a fence at the front of the vehicle.

Police say the fence was deliberately set alight and are appealing for witnesses to contact them.

As well as destroying the car and its contents, including Joshua’s car seat, buggy and toys as well as the blanket he was brought home from hospital in, the fence will have to be replaced along with melted guttering from an adjacent outbuilding.

Helen said: “Thank God no-one was hurt – it was really frightening to see.

“I think I was in a state of shock when I was woken up and told what was happening.

“I couldn’t believe it. It’s not something you ever think would happen. I’m still a bit shaken.

“There was nothing anyone could do, I just had to watch it burn until the fire service got here.

“One of the worst parts about it is all of Joshua’s things were in there – his car seat and buggy and favourite toys.

“People have been really lovely but it’s such a lot of hassle and expense right before Christmas. I’ve only had the car for eight weeks and spent £1,000 on work for it recently, so that’s been a waste as well.”

While police are not linking the incidents, the attack is just one of a number of suspected arson incidents which took place over the weekend in the Bournemouth area.

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.