FIREFIGHTERS and council officials hope to reduce the number of fires started by bored youngsters by staging five-a-side football nights.

The Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and Durham City Council are holding the sessions on Saturday nights between 6pm and 8pm on the AstroTurf pitches at the council-run Meadowfield Leisure Centre.

It is hoped that the sessions, which will be held over three months, will reduce the number of secondary fires - fires in rubbish, sheds and cars - that happen in the Brandon area by giving young people something to do.

Brandon has been identified as a hotspot with one of the highest numbers of secondary fires in the district. Since April, there have been 25 recorded incidents.

Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service assistant district manager Ken Ball said: "We're trialling these new football sessions as a way to make contact with young people in the area and provide them with activities to occupy their time and distract from anti-social behaviour.

"We're using the fun sessions to help educate young people about the nuisance secondary fires can cause and work towards preventing cases.

"Some of the fire crew are also trained coaches, so we're passing on football tips, as well as community safety messages."

The scheme is part of the area's Criminal Damage Reduction Partnership and the Brandon Street Safe Initiative, both of which are projects involving Durham City Council, the police and the fire service.

Removing items in the street that could become a target for arsonists is a main aim.

The council's community safety officer, Keith Davis, said: "This is the latest scheme we are delivering as part of our continuing community safety partnership work in the district.

"We are providing the leisure centre facilities to offer diversionary activities at an often problematic time to help prevent anti-social behaviour.

He added: "We can also use the time to educate and raise awareness of the nuisance and distress anti-social behaviour can cause and work together towards prevention."

Youngsters interested in taking part can turn up at the leisure centre from about 5.30pm and will be put into teams. The sessions are free