Blind Bert Addison had his shed, used as the social hub of the allotments, completely gutted in the fire and was on the brink of quitting the site before his friends stepped in to help.

The close-knit allotment community is counting the cost of the devastating arson blitz which saw sheds and equipment destroyed in two attacks in the space of two days.

Fire raisers targeted Lynn's Chase Avenue allotments on Friday and again on Sunday leaving a trail of damage and a massive clear-up campaign for holders.

The attack has devastated retired locomotive driver Bert Addison (83) whose shed, tomato plants and tools were completely destroyed in the fires.

He suffers with macular degeneration, which has left him almost blind, and has visited his allotment on a near-daily basis for more than 25 years.

Mr Addison told the Lynn News: "I cannot see the television or a book to read. I have spent half my life there for the past 25 years.

"Every morning I wander down, in the winter and summer, and there is always someone there to have a chat with. The shed I had was a meeting point, everyone used it."

Mr Addison, of Kings Avenue, Lynn, said he was on the verge of walking away from the allotments but was persuaded to stay by friends Kevin Coyle, Derek Smith and Paul Giles, who helped clear the site over the weekend.

He said: "I was done, I was gutted, I still am. I've got nothing now, nothing at all. If it had not been for them I would have said that's my lot.

"On Saturday afternoon it was boiling hot but they cleared the lot away. They got me a chair in the shade and told me to keep out of the way. They were fantastic.

"They are marvellous, you never appreciate people until things like this happen. Since I lost my sight, they have all been fantastic."

Mr Coyle, of Chase Avenue, said: "We did it because we wanted to. 0It is Bert, we are trying to give something back to him as we know he has given so much to others in terms of help and advice.

"If he did not have that his life would completely disintegrate. I wonder if they realise what they have done."

Another victim of the attack was the Jack and Jill Playgroup, based at Lynn's Providence Street, whose shed was vandalised on Friday before being set alight on Sunday.

The group had been taking around five youngsters to the allotment each week, where they had been growing runner beans, courgettes and other vegetables.

Senior worker Miss Lucy Tipple said: "I think it is disgusting, I'm so upset for the children, they loved it down there.

"They could watch the trains go past and chat to the older people, it was so nice for them."

Police have already made a number of inquiries via the South and West Lynn Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), with local people contacted in an effort to trace witnesses.

A police spokesman said: "Damage of this kind is completely unacceptable and quite clearly it is thoroughly irresponsible, not to mention dangerous and a criminal offence, to deliberately start fires.

"We would encourage anyone who knows anything about this damage or who has any information about anyone acting suspiciously in the area throughout the day and evening in question to contact the local SNT."

The team can be contacted on 0845 4564567 at Lynn Police Station.

• What's your reaction to this and repeated mindless vandalism like it? Why does it happen, who does it and what can be done about it? Write to The Editor, Lynn News, Limes House, Purfleet Street, King's Lynn, PE30 1HL, or email malcolm.powell@lynnnews.co.uk