POLICE say they are probing an early morning fire at flats in Port Glasgow after a bin area was set alight.

Firefighters and police were called to Customhouse Lane at around 2.30am on Saturday.

Two fire crews and an aerial pump attended following fears that the building was on fire.

It is understood that seven bins were torched and there was a lot of smoke.

Scorch marks were visible at the back of the building following the blaze.

Councillor Jim MacLeod, who was contacted by a town centre constituent to let him know about the fire, said: "This latest incident is on the back of some Fore Street businesses having had their bins set alight and vandalised twice.

"I have contacted the police, council and River Clyde Homes, as did my constituent.

"I asked if the police and council will check CCTV to see if they can see anyone about the town centre at that time.

"Hopefully they will pick anyone up who could have been involved on the cameras."

Mr MacLeod praised housing bosses for their prompt response to the wilful fire.

He said: "RCH told me they had also been contacted over the weekend and would get someone out.

"They were quick in getting someone out to help take things away.

"They will also raise what has happened with other partners at the weekly hub meeting of the local authorities.

"The police said as as a matter of course they will speak to residents as part of their enquiry and to identify suspects.

Sergeant Jason Logsdon of Greenock police said: "Police were alerted to a report of a fire to a bin area which occurred at 2.30am on January 15 at Customhouse Lane in Port Glasgow.

"Police are investigating this incident as a suspected wilful.

"Anyone with information regarding this incident please contact police on 101 quoting KC01610122 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."