A manhunt has been triggered after the Kent Messenger received an anonymous email taking responsibility for a series of fires across Maidstone.

Police were called after an email from the false address petrollover@blazing.co.uk claimed responsibility for five arsons across the area, including one at the offices of Faversham and Mid Kent MP Hugh Robertson.

The message threatened to target more properties, including the KM offices, and has prompted a major hunt.

In a brazen effort to ensure the crimes are linked, the fire-starter has left a calling card of a painted number outside each of the burnt-out properties.

The email reads: “I shall continue and I am uping [sic] my game.”

The emailer claims the first blaze on the hit list was a severe fire which completely gutted Lenham Ironmongers in Faversham Road.

The office of Hugh Robertson, above the hardware shop, was also destroyed by the flames in October.

A number one has been spraypainted on the pavement outside the store - but leaseholder David Silvey said he had not noticed it until this week.

Mr Robertson said: “If these claims are true, then this is a very serious and worrying development.

“Any fire, but most importantly arson, is incredibly dangerous.

“It causes untold problems to the emergency services and huge loss and upset to all those affected.”

The second business to be targeted was the Murco petrol station at Boughton Monchelsea Service Station, Heath Road.

A homemade petrol bomb was posted through the letterbox on December 29, at 2.40am, and caused a minor fire.

The most recent attacks happened last weekend. A minor fire was started at the rear of Bathroom and Kitchen Ltd, in Warmlake Business Estate, Maidstone Road, Sutton Valence.

Owner Chris Hambrook was alerted to the blaze after an employee discovered the damage and a number three painted on the doorstep and wall on Saturday morning .

Mr Hambrook said: “I am just so shocked someone would target us. I haven’t got a clue as to why they would.”

The fourth was started in a shed at the back of Oldfield’s Newsagents, in Headcorn High Street, at about 2am on Sunday.

Owner Jin Sangha said: “It’s just mad someone would do this on purpose and is still out there.”

The fifth attack was at Wents Service Station, Ulcombe Hill, in Ulcombe. It is not known when the site was targeted.

Kent Fire and Rescue attended the fires in Lenham, Boughton Monchelsea and Headcorn.

Supt Andrew Rabey from Kent Police said: “We are working alongside our major crime department to catch the person responsible for this series of fires and it’s crucial that anyone with information comes forward.

“These are unusual circumstances and we’re keeping an open mind as to the reason why the person has committed these offences and why someone has made contact in this way.

“Kent Police were already aware of three fires which occurred in the last few days but the information we have received has prompted us to link two others, which occurred at the end of last year making five fires in total.

“I would like to appeal directly to the person who is responsible for these fires to call Kent Police, or equally if anyone knows who might be responsible to please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01622 690 690 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.