AN experiment to stop children swinging on the rear ladders of Cleveland fire engines has failed to stop youngsters endangering their lives.

The fire brigade's health and safety department had considered the removal of the ladders from the back of engines after children were found swinging on them and using them to climb on top of the vehicles.

But in an experiment, youngsters continued to swing on the back of engines and climb on them even when the ladders were removed.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said: "It also caused a problem with manual handling when retrieving equipment from the top of appliances and therefore, it was found through risk analysis that removing the ladders causes more problems for the brigade,

"Therefore, it was decided to retain the ladder. Health and safety department are continuing to monitor the situation."

In recent months firefighters have complained about facing ambushes from children when they are called out to blazes.

Youngsters in Thornaby, had been caught climbing on fire engines, emptying water tanks and pelting crews with bricks and eggs as they responded to 999 calls.

Some have even had to retreat from blazes as they come under fire from children, throwing missiles.