MEMBERS of the community are rallying round a badly burned mum and her daughter who were victims of a petrol bomb attack.

A fund has been launched to help the victims of the fire in Wellington Street, which has been linked to three other fire bombings in the town.

The 40-year-old woman was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary after accelerant was thrown into her flat.

Her nine-year-old daughter, who was also within the address at the time, escaped uninjured.

A source has told the Tele that the woman sustained serious injury to her eyes and face and has been left traumatised.

It is also understood that the house and many possessions have been badly damaged.

Friends and family have now set up a Just Giving crowdfunder and a Facebook page to raise money for the mother and daughter, with many members of the public making pledges.

Almost £2,000 has been been donated already through Just Giving while there are also plans for a sponsored walk to generate more funds.

The attack came just two days after Greenock man George Miller, 46, burned to death as he tried to set fire to a flat in Union Street.

A car was also torched in Skye Street in the hours after the Wellington Street incident before a Larkfield property was then targeted last Saturday.

The occupants of the property - a 45-year-old woman and three members of the family, including her six-year-old daughter - were not injured after a neighbour raised the alarm.

Earlier this week, a senior police officer spoke of his 'disgust' at the appalling crimes and said a major incident room had been set up at Greenock police office.

Detective Superintendent Gerry McBride also confirmed a suspected link between the shocking incidents.

DS McBride says officers are keen to 'put these offenders behind bars where they deserve to be'.

He said: "My message is quite clear to the people that are involved - this stops now.

"Lives are at risk and this type of behaviour just will not be tolerated."

Police are urging people to come forward with any information relating to the attacks.