FIRE chiefs have been looking for a youngster with the skills to design a safety message which will be understood by other children and could save lives.

There has been a substantial reduction in the number of deliberate bonfire incidents throughout the Cleveland Fire Brigade area from 248 in 2003 to 181 last year.

Pupils in schools in the four district areas covered by Cleveland Fire Brigade were invited to design a poster to illustrate the dangers of fireworks and bonfires, to be used next year.

Winning designs have now been chosen by the brigade.

First prize, an MP3 player, goes to James Warnock from Ian Ramsey School, Stockton.

Second prize, a helmet, lock and lights for a bike, was won by Rachel Atwood from Bydales School, Redcar.

The third prize was a signed Boro shirt, won by Lewis Whitaker from Grangefield School, Stockton.

The two runners-up were Fran Mount and Tammy Mount with helpers, Chantelle, Michael and James from St David's School, in Middlesbrough, and Brendan Lovell, from Sacred Heart School, in Redcar, who each received a book and voucher.

The poster competition was only one of a number of initiatives run by the brigade in a bid to help reduce injuries.

Carol McCletchie, director of human resources and one of the judges for the poster competition said: "We regularly go into schools across the brigade area to spread our safety message. At this time of year we particularly need to focus on the dangers of fireworks and bonfires. By designing posters, it shows us that children have understood our message and it also helps us spread the meaning even further. One of the messages from our winners was - 'fireworks are beautiful but only when they're in the sky'. Another was 'don't be a fool, stay cool'.

"We will be reproducing the winning posters and they will be put up in schools next year to help us promote bonfire night safety."