PRIMARY school pupils looked on as two youngsters were arrested by police after setting fire to a wheelie bin.

This was the scenario created by Durham County Fire and Rescue and Durham County Police authority to show year four pupils from schools in Shildon the consequences of anti-social behaviour.

The role play was included in a visit to Peterlee fire station by Shildon County Primary School, Timothy Hackworth School and St John's Primary School.

The visit is part of an initiative by Homesafe, Shildon Community Safety and Sedgefield Borough Council Community Rangers and eventually the youngsters will develop their experience into a role play to be performed in front of the elderly.

It is hoped that the scheme will not only make children more aware of the dangers of fires but also encourage the elderly to be more security and safety minded. Beat officer for Shildon PC Clare Addison said that wheelie bin and rubbish fires were a persistent problem, especially on nights surrounding Bonfire Night.

She said the exercise brought home to children the reality of what initially starts off as a game.

The youngsters were also shown around a mock house and asked to spot possible fire hazards, as well as meeting firefighters at the station.

Station officer David Turnbull said that the Fire Service had been delighted to help with the exercise.

He said: "We do have a lot of problems with wheelie bin and rubbish fires. These take up a lot of our time and stop us from concentrating on saving lives.''

If the exercise is successful, more schools in County Durham will eventually take part