POLICE are determined to catch arsonists who caused what could have been a serious fire at a Kingfisher Centre department store at the weekend.

Redditch fire crews were called to the rear of Allders, near Access 4, at about 1.10pm on Sunday to find a portable toilet had been set alight.

Flames and smoke had quickly spread from the source to a nearby generator room and the rear doors of Allders where a 'considerable' amount of damage was caused.

Smoke from the fire filled the ground floor of the shop but luckily nobody was hurt.

Sgt Gary Watson, of Redditch police, said they were keen to trace the offenders as the fire could have had very serious consequences.

Sgt Watson added: "The police need to identify the persons responsible for this fire as it could have spread to other premises.

"We are appealing for anyone who has any information that could help us to give us a call."

Last week, the Redditch Advertiser reported how crews were fighting an ongoing battle with 'nuisance' arson attacks which had prompted talks between the brigade and police.

The bank holiday weekend brought another rash of nuisance incidents, crews being called to a number of bin, skip and car fires.

Sgt Watson said: "There have been a number of small fires that have caused nuisance rather than damage in the town centre recently and the police are determined to identify the persons responsible."

Anyone with information can call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers free on 0800 555111.