Fire destroys carnival costumes

Mr Herbert has been left homeless by the blaze

More than 80 costumes designed by a man known as "Mr Carnival" were destroyed in a fire at his Manchester home.

Alex Herbert, 72, has been left homeless by the blaze in the early hours of Sunday.

The fire at Mr Herbert's home in Mozart Close, Moss Side, started in a garden shed, before spreading through the garden and into the house.

Greater Manchester Police said the fire may have been started deliberately and urged witnesses to come forward.

Mr Herbert, who designs costumes for the Moss Side carnival, has lived in his home for 45 years.

He was woken by a smoke alarm and escaped uninjured.

Det Con Paul Shacklady, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "The victim is absolutely distraught because he put hours and hours of work into the costumes and they have been totally destroyed.

"We are looking into the possibility this man's home was deliberately targeted.

"At this stage, it is unclear if he was singled out because of his collection, whether or not it was just someone messing around or whether it was an accident caused by something like a discarded cigarette."

The Moss Side Carnival was held last weekend.