A MILK van was stolen and set on fire in Southampton this morning.

In the early hours of this morning, two crews from Hightown Fire Station were called to Banbury Avenue after receiving reports of a small vehicle fire.

Upon arrival, a small fire in a milk float was extinguished and police were called to the scene.

A Hampshire Fire spokesperson said: "The call came in at 01:15 this morning about a small vehicle fire on Banbury Avenue. Two crews from Hightown attended.

"There was a small fire in the cab of a milk float and this was extinguished using one hose reel jet.

"The attendance of police was requested and the stop message came in at 02:06."

Officers have reported that this vehicle matched the description of a vehicle stolen from Radstock Road, and witnesses have said that the vehicle belonged to Pensworth Foodservice.

A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: "We were called at 01.18am this morning (23 March) to reports of a vehicle fire on Banbury Avenue, Southampton. The vehicle was a white Mercedes Sprinter and this vehicle was reported stolen from Radstock Road."

Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting the reference number of 44200107590. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 to give information anonymously.

Pensworth Foodservice has been contacted by the Daily Echo, but they are yet to respond.