MORE than a quarter of all fires attended by the town’s firefighters are started “deliberately”- an Advertiser investigation has revealed.

The shock statistic, which comes from this paper’s Freedom of Information request, shows that 99 of the 385 fire-related incidents attended by Andover crews between 2014 and 2016 were started on purpose.

The figures, provided by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, also show a small rise in the number of deliberate fires last year.

To read the full story, get your copy of this week's Andover Advertiser - Out now!

Also in this week's paper:

-Andover  Carnival - See all of the pictures from the event - dubbed "one of the biggest in years"

- Criminal who used up "all of his chances" is jailed

- Council pushes ahead with river improvement plans

- New heritage trail for Andover

- Parent's charity drive for daughter

- Pictures from school proms across the area

- Joinery firm has golden night at regional awards

- Find out who is in the running for this year's Test Valley Business Awards

- All the news from Whitchurch and Overton and Tidworth and Ludgershall

- A double page of your letters

- Three pages of the best local sport

And much much more!

Out now - Just 75p!