POLICE are to take action to prevent youths setting fires on a Darlington housing estate after a second blaze in 24 hours.

Empty houses on the town's Firth Moor estate have been targeted by young arsonists over the past couple of weeks.

It has led to safety concerns among residents whose homes surround the derelict properties.

On Sunday, a blaze started by youths ripped through six houses in Carlton Moor Crescent.

A day later, two derelict terraced houses were badly damaged on nearby Forest Moor Road.

People on the estate have called for action to stop the fire-raisers, believing it is only a matter of time before someone is killed or injured.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Jones, of Darlington CID, said yesterday that police had been approached by Darlington Borough Council in an effort to produce a solution to the problem.

Officers are now putting together an operation designed to drive the youths away from the houses.

"Children are obviously targeting empty houses, but there are people still living in the area who are concerned about the fire. It is also causing us concern, and we will be giving it our full attention," said Det Chief Insp Jones

Darlington council says it is putting up metal security shutters and erecting fencing around the derelict properties, until they are ready for demolition.

More than 200 homes have been demolished on the Firth Moor estate, and many more are waiting to be bulldozed.

A multi-million pound bid for funding has been submitted to the Government's Single Regeneration Budget in an effort to breathe new life into the estate.