A VAN was set on fire on playing fields near to a school overnight.

Nearby residents in Newton Aycliffe were alerted to the blaze after hearing an explosion and seeing flames on the field off Greenfield Way and Burnhill Way.

Jonathan Mannion, who lives nearby, said: "At about 12.30am ish I heard a pop which I recognised straight away as a tyre exploding.

"Then the horn was going off so I looked out the window and saw the field lit up.

"I jumped in the van and flew up to the park. It (the van) was well alight."

Mr Mannion called County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service who arrived at 12.49am.

A spokesperson for the service said one appliance from Newton Aycliffe attended and the crew left the scene at 1.26am.

It is understood Durham Police also attended.

Mr Mannion returned to the site on a footpath, near to Horndale Park and opposite Greenfield Community College, to find the vehicle had been burnt out.

Others took to Facebook to condemn what they called "senseless" behaviour.