Jersey charity bonfires set alight by 'vandals'

Vandals have set two charity bonfires alight in Jersey ahead of celebrations on Friday.

The bonfires at Les Creux and the Farmhouse were lit in what the fire service called "mindless acts of vandalism".

Extra security was already in place at the bonfire in St Martin after it had to be cancelled in 2009 due to a similar act of vandalism.

Organisers of the Farmhouse bonfire hope it will still go ahead.

Nigel Godfrey, managing director of the Boat House Group, organisers of the Farmhouse bonfire, said: "I had a phone call last night from the pub telling me the fire had been set alight.

"We called the fire brigade and they were able to contain the damage and we are now busily trying to source the wood so we can go ahead on Friday night."

Fire service community safety manager, Marc Le Cornu, said: "[The vandals have] spoilt these events for many members of the local communities.

"These events also generally raise money for charities and therefore these actions have an even wider impact."

He warned other bonfire organisers to "maintain a watch over their bonfires to prevent further incidents prior to Bonfire Night".