A man accused of a starting a string of fires in one night has pleaded guilty to four counts of arson.

Timothy Bixley of no fixed address, entered his plea on what would have been the first day of his trial.

The 39-year-old, admitted starting four fires across the Addiscombe area on August 15, 2011, including starting a blaze at a care home in Leafy Way.

Seven residents of Guinness Court were hospitalised suffering from smoke inhalation and related injuries, after being evacuated from the building at about 1am.

Bixley began his spree by attempting to set alight the NatWest bank in Lower Addiscombe Road.

He was seen on CCTV at the front door of the bank and then set alight a piece of cardboard, before pushing it through the letterbox and making off.

The fire did not take hold and a burnt piece of cardboard was discovered by the manager the next day.

He then made his way to Clyde Road, where he set alight recycling bins after being refused access to an address of an acquaintance. The fire was spotted by neighbours and put out.

Bixley progressed further down Clyde Road and set alight a car cover, causing about £4,000 worth of damage to the sports kit car underneath.

He then made his way to Leafy Way where he set fire to rubbish bins, but the wooden structure around the bins caught alight and spread to the warden-assisted block of flats.

PC Leigh Packer, from Croydon CID said: "Bixley's actions that night beggar belief. It could have so easily led to a number of people being killed- it was that serious.

"He told us he was drunk at the time, but if you add in the fact this took place just a week after the serious disorder in Croydon, then his actions would have caused even greater fear to the victims."

Bixley has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on April 4.