A JCB digger has been left completely destroyed after being deliberately set alight in Motherwell.

Fire crews raced to a building site in Ladywell Road at around 9.10pm on Sunday.

The equipment was left completely burnt out and will cost tens of thousands of pounds to replace.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public, and police say that if it had not been for their quick thinking, the blaze could have spread to nearby buildings.

Police are now searching for the fire-raiser and are urging any witnesses or those with information to come forward.

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Detective Constable Gerry Hattie, Wishaw CID, said: "Thankfully there was no one on-site at the time of the fire and thanks to the person who called the emergency services quickly, the fire was extinguished before it spread to nearby buildings.

"The digger has been completely destroyed and will cost tens of thousands of pounds to replace.

"If you have any information that will assist officers with their enquiry then please call Wishaw CID via 101 quoting reference number 3987 of September 15 2019."

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.