Police say they are investigating a number of fires

Police are investigating a number of attacks on hedges in the village of Scotby, near Carlisle.

The fast-growing conifer - which can reach up to 40 feet - has been at the root of many bitter neighbourhood disputes in the UK in recent years.

In all the Scotby cases, the Leylandii hedges damaged have been close to the edge of the properties and easily accessible from the road.

IT manager Mark Whitworth, 42, said he was awoken at about 0100 BST last Tuesday by the sound of crackling and when he looked out of the window, saw his Leylandii in flames.

Watering cans

He said: "We thought initially it was just a one-off and we didn't realise then there had been others.

"After hearing about the others, it is hard to come to terms with. There is obviously someone about who has a problem with trees."

Another victim, Ian Lister, said: "My next-door neighbour phoned to say there was a blaze somewhere and that she thought it was in my garden.

"When we looked out of the window we saw the flames and saw three or four neighbours with watering cans and buckets of water trying to put the blaze out."

Cumbria Police confirmed on Tuesday they were investigating three fires, but were keeping an open mind about the motive.

Local reports suggest at least another two people have been affected by Leylandii fires.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Fire Brigade: "This is likely due to someone fooling around or someone with a grudge against Leylandii."