YOUNGSTERS from Thornaby schools found out about the effects of hoax 999 calls during a visit to a fire station yesterday.

Five children were invited to Stockton fire station after they won a poster competition, run by the Thornaby Light community newspaper, to highlight the dangers of malicious 999 calls.

Diane Patterson, of Thornaby Light, said: "The response was quite positive and the entries were very good.

"I think the posters really get the message across not to make hoax calls because of the consequences.

"The aim of the competition was to reduce the number of hoax calls made to Cleveland Fire Brigade."

Overall winner of the competition was Rachel Gill, ten, of Christ the King Primary School, who was presented with a Cleveland Fire Brigade watch.

The six to ten years age group winner was James Humphrey, nine, of Christ the King Primary School, and the 11 to 14 years age winner was Daniel Scott, 13, of Westlands School.

They were both given £20 gift vouchers.

Runners-up were Chloe McPhee, nine, of Christ the King Primary School and Natasha Kingston, 11, of Bader Primary School, who were both presented with fire brigade goodie bags.