A couple whose caravan was torched by arsonists say they have lost a lifeline.

Ken and Irene Shergold, of Lawrence Avenue, Rustington, near Littlehampton, used the caravan to take short breaks around Sussex as respite from their illnesses.

Mr Shergold, 64, has cancer, and his wife Irene, 60, is virtually housebound.

The couple, who rely on scooters to get about, were woken by the sound of the fire.

Their caravan had been parked in the driveway of their elderly neighbour, Chris Collings, because they have no drive of their own.

She had to be led from her home as the fire quickly took hold. It destroyed the caravan and damaged a car and parts of the bungalow.

Mr Shergold said: "The people who did this do not realise what effect it will have on us.

"Why did they do it? The caravan meant so much to us - it was our lifeline.

"I had recently cleaned it and parked it a bit further away from the bungalow.

"If it had been closer and under the bungalow's eaves, it could have been disastrous for Chris. She could have been killed."

Mr Shergold said the couple's children had offered to replace the caravan but they had turned down the offer.

He said: "What would be the point? We would have to park it in the same place because we have nowhere else to put it. It would just get torched as well.

"I don't understand the mentality of the people who do things like this.

"When they are caught they should be made to do community service round here to understand the consequences of what they have done."

There has been a spate of antisocial behaviour in Rustington and police patrols have been stepped up.

In one incident, up to 30 youths tried to gatecrash a party at the village's Woodland Centre.

When police confronted them officers were verbally abused and had to dodge beer bottles thrown at them.

A police spokesman, speaking about the blaze, which started at 2.30am on Saturday, said: "The fire took hold quickly and was a serious threat to the occupant of the house. We want to know who started it.

"There could be witnesses and we would ask them and anyone who may have information to come forward."

The police can be contacted on 0845 6070999 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.