A man accused of starting 18 fires in Bradford had wanted to be a fireman since he was a boy, a Court has heard.

James Bradshaw, 24, tried several times to join the fire service although his family said he stood no chance, it is alleged.

Bradshaw denied having a fascination with fire when interviewed by the police about a string of blazes across the city.

He is charged with arson attacks on houses, outbuildings, machinery and vehicles, three of which endangered lives.

Bradshaw was arrested after the bungalow where he was living, in Donisthorpe Street, West Bowling, was deliberately set alight in March 2004.

He admitted being in the bungalow shortly before it caught fire. He told the police he had a cigarette lighter with him and he was rather drunk but he did not start the blaze.

Yesterday the jury at Leeds Crown Court heard a series of police interviews with Bradshaw after his arrest on March 4 last year.

He told officers he was unemployed and had done work as a grass cutter, flag layer and general labourer.

He said he had wanted to be a fireman since he was a child but knew he only stood a slim chance of being accepted.

Although he had arthritis and could not read he thought it was "worth a try".

He said his cousin was a fireman and had encouraged him to apply because he said it was a good job.

Bradshaw told the police he did not realise the requirements to join the service until he sent for an information pack that he could not read anyway.

Bradshaw was told by the police that there had been deliberate fires at places where he had lived, worked and wanted to work. He agreed that it did not look too good but said he had asked for jobs at hundreds of places and would not set fire to them.

He told officers he suffered from depression and alcoholism, drinking up to a bottle of whisky or a dozen cans a day.

Earlier fireman Chris Hellas told the court that he attended a caravan fire at Russell Stone Yard in Ripley Road, West Bowling, in December 2004.

He said the caravan was completely destroyed in the deliberate blaze.

He said he was approached by Bradshaw at the scene and he appeared to be over-helpful, maintaining that he worked at the yard.

Mr Hellas said there were quite a few fires in that area of Bradford. The service could be called out 12 to 15 times a week, more in the school holidays and on dark winter evenings.

Sub officer William Birch attended the blaze in Donisthorpe Street. He said the bungalow was well alight with flames licking out of a broken front window.

The doors were locked but a window at the back had been broken from the inside.

Mr Birch said that Bradshaw insisted on going into the blazing bungalow. He pestered the station officer in charge at the scene and the police were asked to remove him.

The trial continues.