POLICE have warned young arsonists they could face stiff penalties after three fires in two days in North Yorkshire.

A blaze near Richmond on Sunday evening severely damaged a four-bay Dutch barn.

Firefighters were still dousing the flames six hours later after children playing with matches set fire to straw and hay stored in the building, in Reeth Road.

A shed was also set alight in Colburn on Monday night - the same evening another fire gutted the building which used to house the dry ski slope on nearby Horne Road in Catterick Garrison.

"There is evidence to suggest children were involved in all three incidents," said Sergeant Nick Hunter, of Richmond police.

"What we should emphasise is that, if they carry on with this sort of thing, they could be putting themselves in danger, as well as risking the safety of others.

"Not just property but lives could be at stake, specially if you consider the 50 firefighters and the specialised equipment called to deal with the ski slope fire may not have been available if there had been another major incident elsewhere in the county."

Sgt Hunter added: "Arson is a serious offence and, as such, it carries serious penalties."