FIRE experts are investigating how two vehicles parked outside Coleford Police Station went up in flames on the night of Sunday-Monday.

Describing the fires as 'suspicious' a police spokesman said CCTV footage was being scanned and officers were conducting door-to-door interviews in the area.

Both vehicles were campervans frequently parked on the forecourt outside the station, which is not always manned – its reception opens during office hours from Monday to Saturday inclusive.

One of the vans is the mobile police station which has a regular tour of Forest villages to discuss police matters with rural communities.

This was badly damaged but the other vehicle, which belongs to the Forest of Dean District Council and is used by youth outreach workers, was completely destroyed.

"The police station is closed this morning (Tuesday) while an investigation is carried out into the fires," said the police spokesman.

Police would like anyone who witnessed the incident or who knows anything about it to call them on 0845 0901234 quoting incident number 8 of Tuesday May 6 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.