GENEROUS folk have rallied round to help a homeless man whose belongings were burnt in a suspected arson attack.

Firefighters were called to the former tax offices, on the corner of Eastgate and Water Street, in Accrington, at around 6.30am on Sunday, after reports a pile of bedding and rubbish had been set alight in a doorway.

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After word got out about the incident, kind-hearted people from across Hyndburn began to offer items to help replace those which John Walsh had lost.

The 48-year-old, known as Johnno, was invited to St James Church in Cannon Street, Accrington, where he was presented with a number of items including a sleeping bag, tent, camping stove and quilts.

A separate online campaign, which was launched on Sunday to raise funds for Johnno, who has been living rough since June after experiencing money worries, had yesterday raised £615.

He said: “I was at my friend’s house at the time and someone rang me to tell me what had happened.

“I have always tried to not let things get me down and I try to think that everything happens for a reason.

“Everyone has been amazing and the new bedding is fantastic.

“I now realise just how much I’m loved by the people around me.”

Lisa Cummings, 43, from Accrington, is a founder member of The Hyndburn Helpers group, which was set up in November to provide food, clothes and food parcels for homeless people and others who are in need.

She said: “Johnno has been coming down to us every Monday and Wednesday when we run our soup kitchen, providing hot meals for homeless people. We have had a lot of people offering to bring items to the church for him to keep.

“He is very grateful for all the items that he’s been given and we know that he’ll be fine now.”

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Watch manager at Accrington Fire Station, Gary Drinkwater, said initial investigations into the fire had led officials to consider arson.

A police spokesman said the items had been in the doorway for a number of weeks.