A man who has "issues" with religion set fire to a Sikh temple and a church.

Paul Johnson used petrol from a container to ignite the doors of Edinburgh's Guru Nanak Sikh Temple and Leith Methodist Church because he wanted to make a "political statement".

He told police he wanted to watch the premises burn down and hoped to be arrested.

Johnson, 49, admitted two charges of willful fireraising, aggravated by religious prejudice, on August 28 when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday.

The court heard the attack on the Sikh temple was unplanned and was only carried out when unemployed Johnson came across the building.

Shortly before 5am, a witness heading to the temple to pray spotted the fire and immediately raised the alarm with a man sleeping inside in the family quarters.

It took two engines, two high-reach vehicles and 11 firefighters to bring the blaze under control.

A few hours later, the caretaker at Leith Methodist Church noticed a smell of petrol and burning and cleaned up the area around the front door after realising there was no fire damage of note.

He later contacted police after hearing about the incident at the temple.

CCTV footage from the area around the church showed Johnson approach the door with a jerry can just after midnight.

He was then recorded repeatedly lighting paper and throwing it towards the door before running away.

between 12.03am and 12.13am showed Johnson approaching the church door, with a flash of light then visible.

Police arrested Johnson after spotting him in Leith in the early hours of August 30.

Asked about his involvement in the two fires, he immediately told officers: "I did it."

Advocate depute Alan Cameron told the court: "The accused was asked as to his motivation for the fires and stated that he was looking to make a political statement, but would not provide further details.

"When asked whether this was religiously motivated he stated that he has no issue with any particular religion but his issues are with religion and God in general.

"The accused was asked what his intention was by setting fire to the building and he stated that he wanted to watch them burn down."

Johnson, listed as a prisoner in Edinburgh, will be sentenced next month.