JEFF Winter, who refereed this year's FA Cup final, has teamed up with police and fire services to show the red card to arsonists.

The premiership referee has joined forces with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Durham Constabulary and Easington District Council.

The pioneering initiative will provide education on arson and, where necessary, deliver enforcement action in the communities around Easington.

The two-step process will involve the issuing of a yellow card to any person suspected of causing arson.

If the individual is caught again he or she will receive a red card, which will lead to enforcement action.

The overall aim of the initiative will be to identify those responsible for starting fires, educate them about the problems they are causing, taking action where necessary and to engage local residents in the project.

The scheme was launched yesterday at Peterlee Community Fire Station with Mr Winter on hand to help raise the profile of the project.

The link to football is seen as being particularly apt with the Euro 2004 competition underway, because it is believed the largest target group of potential arsonists are teenage males who it is felt will relate and respond to football heroes.

At the opening of the scheme, short presentations were given by members of the partnership, followed by explanation of the initiative's red card system by Mr Winter.