NURSES, paramedics and police were on hand to help youngsters learn about the dangers of burning and scalding yesterday.

The event, at Darlington's Dolphin Centre, was organised by staff at the accident and emergency departments of Darlington Memorial Hospital and Bishop Auckland General.

More than 240 nursery and reception-age children were invited and the event was aimed at learning through fun. They were encouraged to take such precautions as running cold water into the bath before hot water and to be aware of items that can burn.

In the past year, Darlington hospital's accident and emergency department treated 364 children with burns, 198 of them under five.

Staff nurse Lisa Pennington, of Darlington Memorial Hospital, said it only took two seconds at 67 degrees celcius for water to cause major burns.

The Dolphin Centre donated a room and refreshments for the event.