A RASH of destructive fires in the days surrounding November 5 has prompted calls for a strategy to head off trouble in the run-up to Bonfire Night in future years.

The scene at Bankfields, near Eston, was described as being 'like Beirut' to members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's executive on Tuesday, following two nights of trouble by rampaging teenagers in the days before Bonfire Night.

Coun John Simms, who represents the Eston ward, told his colleagues that the youngsters threw more than 100 wheelie bins belonging to elderly people on to a bonfire.

He said they then ransacked the pensioners' gardens, taking garden ornaments, railings and fences before driving two cars on to the bonfire and setting the whole thing alight. They also smashed windows of nearby flats.

He added: "It didn't just happen in Bankfields, it happened in many other parts of the borough as well. It was just two nights of torment."

Coun Dave McLuckie, lead member for community safety, called on the authority to look into developing a strategy for the run-up to and including Bonfire Night.

He said this should clamp down on illegal bonfires and private fireworks parties and encourage more people to attend organised council-run public displays throughout the borough.

Coun McLuckie said the strategy should involve consultation with the emergency services, which had been inundated with calls throughout the Bonfire Night period.

"I will also be asking the council to crack down on the sale of fireworks," he added.

The executive backed Coun McLuckie and Coun Norman Davies cited the success of this year's event at Redcar Racecourse, which attracted more than 8,000 people.

"If we put more effort in, I can envisage crowds of 20,000 to 30,000 people," he said