TEESSIDE has been named as the UK's arson capital.

Shock figures have revealed that nine out of ten fires in the area are being started deliberately.

Just under 90 per cent of the 9,778 blazes tackled by Cleveland Fire Brigade last year were malicious with the vast majority - more than 6,600 - the result of anti-social behaviour.

Sergeant Noel Young, of the Arson Task Force, said: "These figures have put Cleveland at the top of the league for arson.

"The minority that are responsible for such behaviour on the streets can cause massive disruption and misery to the law-abiding majority.

"Also, there is a significant cost to society in dealing with incidents of arson.''

The Government has told brigades to achieve a ten per cent reduction in all fires in their areas by 2010.

Cleveland Fire Brigade insists it has already achieved that reduction in the past 18 months.

It stressed that, while the figures released by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday make depressing reading, they are for the period between 2003 and last year.

The figures for 2004 to 2005 are expected to show an improved situation.

Durham County Fire Brigade has achieved a 27 per cent reduction in deliberate fires - from 5,615 between 2003 and 2004 to 4,078 in the past year.

Police and local councils have worked together to identify those responsible for starting fires, while removing abandoned cars and rubbish before they can be torched by arsonists.