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

That 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 during a visit to Peterlee fire station by pupils from 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.

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 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 fun.

Station officer David Turnbull said that the fire brigade 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.''