Arsonists targeted two communal bins, leaving a trail of burning rubbish along a street.

The bins were set ablaze in Montpelier Road and Denmark Terrace, Brighton, just before 11pm on Sunday and firefighters had to check several others to make sure they had not been lit.

The communal bins, which are being piloted by CityClean and Brighton and Hove City Council, appear to have been singled out.

The council had to replace 14 bins after a spate of vandal attacks last week. Damage costing hundreds of pounds was caused when the opening mechanism of the bins was broken.

The 3,200-litre capacity bins have been placed in 25 central streets in the city, with smaller bins also being introduced to replace black bag collections.

The scheme has proved unpopular with some residents, who warned the bins would be hit by arsonists and could cause a danger to nearby homes and cars.

Tony Davies, 27, from neighbouring Vernon Terrace, saw the aftermath of the two fires.

He has been a vocal opponent of the scheme but admitted the fires would not help the cause.

He said: "We did think the bins would become a target for arson and graffiti and both these things have happened.

"It would be nice to see them burning away but this does not help our cause at all."

A spokesman for the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: "Quite a few people saw the two bins on fire so they would have been blazing.

"We had to check several others in case they were smouldering inside."

The council has now sent an officer to investigate the blazes.

The refuse scheme began on February 2 with 5,500 households taking part.

The launch was met by a flood of complaints, with many people claiming the bins would take up much needed parking places.

The council has asked police to look into claims of criminal damage after 14 bins were vandalised in Bath Street, Albert Road, Buckingham Road and Powis Road in Brighton.