Children have been running through fields of flaming grass and corn - after setting it alight themselves, according to police in Clacton.

Clacton police today warned the youngsters to put a stop to their dangerous game before someone is seriously hurt or killed.

Firefighters from the town have been called to field fires off Jaywick Lane six times since the weekend and on each occasion they believe it was children who started the fires.

Youngsters, some of primary school age, have been spoken to repeatedly but have ignored the warning and abused firecrews.

Det Sgt Mick Ornellas, of Clacton police, said today if field burning was the latest craze, it was not clever or brave and could lead to a potential disaster.

"It is true to say that people who play with fire eventually get burned," he said. It may be just a game to them but it puts properties and lives in serious danger and we are appealing for them to stop before somone gets hurt."

Det Sgt Ornellas also appealed to parents to find out what their youngsters were up and try to put a stop to the dangerous practice.

The fires have been set in the fields at the back of Wick Lodge through to the back of Clacton Town's Rush Green football ground.

Firefighters were called to the area twice yesterday afternoon and spent about an hour putting out the blaze.

Leading firefighter Simon Bates said crews were out on another emergency yesterday when they were diverted to the fields again.

Firefighters have now been asked to contact the police immediately they are called to a fire in that area of the town.

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