A Weymouth woman has told of her family's devastation after their car was set alight outside their home in Littlemoor during the early hours of the morning.

Millie Garbutt, 21, said the community was in shock following the suspected arson attack, in which the car appeared to have been rolled out of its parking space, causing the flames to spread to three other vehicles belonging to her neighbours.

Police are investigating the fires which wrecked the vehicles in Clayton Close early on Sunday – no arrests have yet been made.

Dorset Echo:

"It's awful," Millie said. "I was asleep - it was my dad who noticed it, he was watching TV and heard a bang.

"I was woken by him shouting to my mum that the car was on fire. I looked out of my window and it looked to have been been reversed out of its parking space and in flames about ten metres away. We later found the handbrake had been taken off.

"We felt really helpless, just standing there watching the fire spread to the other cars while we waited for the fire brigade to arrive."

Dorset Echo:

Millie explained how her mum bought the car last September to learn to drive, but in the October had spinal surgery so was unable to take lessons. She and her brother were also planning to learn to drive in the car.

"We're not sure why someone would do this to us - it's bizarre." she added. "My mum and I both work at the local school - we're quite well liked there by parents and the children.

Dorset Echo:

"My mum felt guilty - she was really upset because the fire spread to the other cars - everyone on the street was saying she couldn't have helped that, it wasn't her fault. One of my neighbours even came round with flowers."

Millie added: "This is probably the third time something like this has happened in our area - the last time was a few years ago.

"It's such a shame because people will say 'it's Littlemoor - what do they expect?' but everyone in our road is so close-knit and so lovely - it's a real shame.

"On Saturday night me and some girls from my football team, Redland Ladies, were out in the community delivering biscuits and treats for the elderly, and hours later this happened."

Dorset Echo:

A spokesman for Weymouth & Portland Police said: "Officers from the Neighbourhood Team have been making enquiries in the Littlemoor area after several cars were damaged by fire at around 1.30am.

"We would be keen to hear from anyone who might have seen or heard anything suspicious near Clayton Close around that time.

"Please contact us via the Dorset Police website or emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk quoting occurrence number 55200191142. Alternatively you report confidentially via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."