Boat owners feeling sick after suspected arson

Tony Gosling said the couple had been worried about a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents involving properties along the river

A couple from a Cambridgeshire town say they feel like "moving away" after their beloved cabin cruiser boat, which was moored outside their home, was destroyed last month.

Tony and Patsy Gosling, from March, believe the boat was deliberately set on fire.

They bought it for £5,000 four years ago and had spent £1,000 on a new engine, but were not covered for fire on their insurance.

A 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of arson but subsequently released.

The Goslings said they felt sick over the incident, and now faced having to pay £1,000 to have the burnt out vessel removed.

The local river authority says the removal and disposal of the vessel could cost about £1,000

Mr Gosling said the couple had been worried about several incidents of anti-social behaviour along the river leading up to the fire.

"Teenagers had been reportedly kicking front doors and scaring residents around Halloween, that escalated to fires being started in wheelie-bins and then our boat fire," he said.

"We are just thankful that no-one has been seriously injured, or worse."

The Goslings said the boat, Gwenda, was their "pride and joy" and loved taking family and friends for trips along the River Nene

The couple say the incident has made them consider leaving the town, but they have also received support.

"We have also seen the best in human nature", said Mr Gosling, saying that the couple have had lots of goodwill messages with their neighbours even offering them the use of their own boats.

The couple thought a firework had exploded when they first heard a loud bang, but were then horrified to see their boat on fire

The couple have now been contacted by Middle Level Commissioners, which looks after the waterways where the vessel is moored, and informed that the burnt out shell needs to be removed - at a cost of about £1,000.

Paul Burrows, the chief executive of Middle Level Commissioners, said: "It really is a shocking incident and we really feel for the couple involved.

"Boat removal is a complex and costly operation, especially for sunken vessels. Unfortunately the cost associated with safe removal will need to be borne by the owners.

"£1,000 is a ballpark estimate based on our recent operations."

He added that the couple were free to explore "other options of removal".