'Pigeon war' fears as arson attack kills 100 of fancier's best racing birds

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Geoff Williams fears his success as a breeder and trainer has caused a "pigeon war" in the quiet Lancashire town of Padiham.

The 70-year-old was targeted in a similar arson attack in November 2006. That time, 60 of his birds were killed.

Les Derbyshire - son-in-law of pigeon fancier Geoff Williams - outside the burnt-out shed where the pigeons died

His family believe that the earlier incident, and the latest fire on Saturday, are the work of jealous rivals.

His daughter Julie Williams, 40, said: "We just hope that we can carry on. He doesn't know whether to, but you can't give in and let these people win.

Breeding ground: Geoff Williams has bred pigeons at the allotment since 1962

"Is it due to the competitiveness of people? Is it because he wins a lot? We just don't know."

Mr Williams, a former miner, has kept pigeons at his allotment since 1962.

He said: "I don't know whether I will be able to build it back up again, because you can't keep spending that much money."

The shed of breeding birds took the full brunt of the fire.

Mr Williams said many of the surviving baby birds could still die from smoke inhalation.

Detective Sergeant Ian Glass, of Burnley CID, confirmed that police were treating the incident as arson.