ARSONISTS destroyed a coach in a midnight attack, and with it the dreams of a young family.

Neil Hilton, 38, bought the vehicle three months ago and had been working on it each weekend with his wife Jessica and their three children with the aim of going travelling around Europe in it together.

But those hopes were dashed when two arsonists torched the 1991 Dennis Javelin just after midnight on Saturday while it was parked at Hillview Good News Centre, Mr Hilton’s charity, in Hodshrove Lane in Moulsecoomb, Brighton.

CCTV footage obtained by The Argus shows the culprits – who appear to be teenage boys – arrive at the scene at 11.45pm and break into the coach.

They are there for about 15 minutes before the fire bursts out and they run away.

Mr Hilton, of Appledore Road in Moulsecoomb, said: “I was going to convert the coach into a motorhome for me and my family and we were hoping it would be ready for next summer.

“We were all excited about it and it was interesting trying to do it with the kids. It was the dream for our family.

“That dream was lost.

“We don’t know who would want to do this – we’re quite loved in the community.”

Mr Hilton does charity work and tries to “bring good news” to Moulsecoomb residents.

He was woken at 12.30am by a neighbour who noticed the fire and he raced round to the centre.

He added: “I was in disbelief and shock when I saw it. Many tears have been shed since. “

The fire was burning for about ten minutes, and firefighters managed to extinguish it quickly.

Mr Hilton said there was about 60 gallons of diesel in the vehicle, though the fire did not ignite it – otherwise it could have been even worse.

He also had power tools in the coach which were destroyed.

In the CCTV footage you can see the arsonists trying to break into the coach.

They try to break into a side door but then get in through the front and get the fire started.

After they run away, they are seen coming back into the shot to check on it.

The blaze is not very big until a window seemingly smashes, then the fire erupts.

A committed Christian, Mr Hilton has been trying to keep his children happy, telling them they will hopefully get another coach one day.

He paid £2,000 for the Dennis Javelin, but kept it at the centre as it was uninsured.

Mr Hilton said the community began sharing the dream he had with Jessica and their young children – Joel, eight, Sophie, six, and four-year-old Stephen. He said he has received an outpouring of support from residents who had been keen to see the Hilton family’s journey in renovating the coach.

A fundraising page and events are being arranged to help get cash to Mr Hilton.

“I have lived and worked in Moulsecoomb for three years now, and can truly say that I have never felt so loved and supported in any other place I have lived,” Mr Hilton said.

“The great commandment from Jesus’ teachings of loving our neighbour and loving God is truly being lived out in Moulsecoomb.

“Thank you to everyone in this beautiful community.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Police received a report of a coach on fire in Hodshrove Lane, Brighton, at 1.50am on Saturday. The incident, suspected to be arson, is reported to have occurred around midnight.

“Police have engaged with the informant and advised there are no further lines of enquiry at this stage.

“However, anyone with any information is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 110 of 14/07."