PIGEON fanciers are holding a sale of birds to help a veteran enthusiast whose cree was destroyed in an arson attack.

Early last month, 48 birds owned by Jack Allison, 74, were killed in a blaze in his stock loft and a shed on his allotment at Lansdowne Crescent, Bowburn, causing damage estimated at more than £10,000.

A 16-year-old from Shotton was arrested and has been charged with arson.

Tonight, a sale of young birds will be held at the Crowtrees Workingmen's Club, in Durham Road, Bowburn, at 7pm to raise money to rebuild the gutted buildings.

Pigeon clubs throughout the region have donated birds and it is hoped that the event will raise several hundred pounds.

Neighbour Susan Teasdale said Mr Allison, a former colliery blacksmith, had begun the business of collecting birds in 1956.

"For almost 30 years he has run a sale of birds himself and we take the old people of the village for a day out with the proceeds.

"Things have turned around and we are now running one for him.

"He has to keep going - racing pigeons is his life.''

So far fundraising events to compensate him for his loss have brought in about £1,000.

Mr Allison was devastated by the blaze, which claimed the lives of ageing birds he had retired from racing, but his loft of current racing birds escaped the flames.

"I have had phone calls from Scotland and one from Kent. They said they would send some birds. I didn't know I had so many friends,'' he said.

Admission to the sale is free, and there will be a raffle.