POLICE are hunting a thief, who stole tools and burnt down a shed belonging to an elderly diabetic pensioner in Settle.

Peter Riley, of Riversdale, Giggleswick has worked his plot in Settle for 35 years, but he has been unable to drive to the plot for a year due to partial blindness caused by diabetes.

Since returning to his plot in October his hut has been burnt down and he has lost tools, milk churns and chicken feed totalling well over £100.

"I've lost everything," he said. "I've got no compensation and it's a hell of a mess for a man of 70 to clean up, despite the great work of the firemen involved."

Police are treating the incident as arson.

"We would welcome any more information on this incident," said Inspector Tad Nowakowski.

The plot is adjacent to a green lane known to locals as Watery Lane, which is in the Greenfoot area of Settle.

Fellow allotment holder Tim Edmunson said: "This isn't the work of kids. It's a shame as this is like a second home to people down here. It's an escape."

The site has been the scene of a spate of petty crimes in recent years.

Mr Riley said: "I won't be driven out. This is going to put a sour taste in people's mouths.

"Five years ago it wouldn't have crossed my mind to think about locking my shed and chicken coop. Two strimmers have gone missing from different allotments over the last few weeks. It's a sign of the times."

Another arsonist, now in prison, destroyed a hut on the site two years ago.

Mr Riley's shed was more than 100 years old and was once used to breed greyhounds.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Settle Police on 01756 793377 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.