POLICE and firefighters have warned young firebugs that they could be putting lives at risk.

A number of fires have been reported at the Arden Hall site, off Plantation Street and police said gangs, aged between 16 and 20, have been lighting bonfires to keep warm.

But when the fires are started, residents call the fire service concerned it could spread to the rest of the parkland.

Now the Accrington emergency services have revealed their fear that while they deal with a small fire at the grounds of the former hall, it could prevent them getting to a serious fire in time.

Accrington firefighter Mick Sutcliffe said: "The biggest problem we have got is that when we are dealing with rubbish fires and minor problems we are not available for more serious incidents.

"The area in general has been quite bad of late. It's a number of juveniles that are creating the problem.

"We try to work closely with the police community support officers and hope they can alleviate the problems by making extra patrols."

The area is a large patch of open land that once housed a stately home. Now it has a football pitch in the centre.

Hyndburn Council has confirmed it owns a small part of the land but, as it is deemed a large, public open space, it was not their responsibility to fence it off.

Now the police are appealing to youngsters not to light the fires.

PC Rachel Carbury, of Accrington Police, said: "There has been a small number of camp fires made by young people to keep themselves warm. Then people are calling with regards to the fires and that is why it is becoming a nuisance to the fire brigade."

Coun Graham Jones, chairman of the Friends of Arden Hall and Peel ward representative, said: "The people that are starting these fires need to get a life. They're not only damaging the hall but they're also a threat to people's safety."