A VICTORIAN villa has been condemned by the fire service following the latest arson attack.

Twenty five fire-fighters spent over five hours tackling a fire which consumed the roof space and the main staircase at Westfield House in Victoria Road on Sunday.

On Tuesday afternoon they were called out again when smoke was billowing from a window.

Newspapers and timbers in a doorway had been lit and the fire had started to burn the door frames.

It is the sixth time this year crews have dealt with arson attacks there.

A fire spokesman said: "Youths keep starting fires. It is a problem and a blight on the area.

"The best thing to do is to pull it down. It is going to be unsafe. If kids get in one of the stacks may topple and kill somebody."

Another fire-fighter said had Tuesday's incident been at night she wouldn't have let a crew enter the house for their own safety.

They had to use water back packs to tackle the fire because excessive water is damaging woodwork and plaster and Sunday's blaze had to be put out using an aerial platform as the main staircase and upper floors have burnt away.

Coun Margaret Bruff, who has been campaigning for the villa to be restored by businessman owner Chris Palmer, said a senior fire officer told her it wasn't safe to let people inside.

She added: "It is devastating for the people of the area, I sympathise with them. It is a building we have always wanted to keep and still do. It is in such a beautiful location and was a beautiful building, it is such a shame."

Westfield House and the surrounding grounds were for sale earlier this year with Horner Associates at a guide price of £895,000.

Richard Horner, of Horner Associates, said: "It doesn't change anything, the property is still on the market and still up for sale."