A FIRE brigade is turning to play acting in an effort to reduce arson attacks.

Youngsters are to be invited to take part in role-playing court room dramas where the emphasis will be on the crime and its consequences.

To make the proceedings as authentic as possible, there will be fire brigade video evidence while props will include a judge's wig and gown - and a replica dock made by genuine convicted offenders.

Children will take the part of prisoner, prosecutor and judge, with the rest of the class forming the jury which will have to decide on verdict and punishment.

The initiative receives its first trial at Northfield Comprehensive School, in Billingham, next month.

If the pilot is a success, it will be offered to other schools across Teesside.

Les Jones, Cleveland Fire Brigade's community safety manager, said: "We are very excited about it. It's interactive role playing with a serious message. It's really aimed at that age group where you start to get anti-social behaviour - year one in the senior schools, the 11 to 12-year-olds.''

Cleveland Fire Brigade said its educational programme in schools had already led to "a significant reduction" in hoax calls across the brigade area in recent years.

The brigade is hoping that the classroom court sessions will have the same effect on reducing arson.

Brigade staff took their fire safety and prevention message into 200 schools last year while youngsters from more than 100 schools attended a series of multi-agency safety workshops, involving the brigade.