CHILDREN as young as ten have been caught on security cameras setting fire to a park on a Darlington estate.

Firthmoor community leaders say the youngsters are putting their lives at risk by lighting the fires in Alderman Crooks Park.

Peter Bowerbank, from Darlington Borough Council's closed-circuit television camera team, said children were caught on film targeting a play area being built in the park.

"Alderman Crooks is a problem at the moment," he said. "We have got a camera there now. It is young children lighting fires there.

"They have set fire to the bushes and set fire to some of the play equipment. They are not youths; they are youngsters under ten. It's got out of hand."

Eastbourne ward councillor Lee Vasey, the council's cabinet member for leisure and parks, said: "When kids start playing with fire they can burn themselves. We don't want anyone getting hurt."

Firthmoor beat officer PC Chris Horner said police planned to visit schools on the estate with fire safety officers.

"I think bombarding them with this safety message is the best thing," he said.

Station Officer Kevin Hart, from Darlington fire station, said the children were endangering themselves and wasting valuable fire service time.

"Playing with fire is dangerous and can kill or maim," he said.