FIREFIGHTERS are to be given a police escort after being attacked by gangs of up to 50 thugs hurling fireworks and stones.

Airbombs are being hurled at head height towards fire crews in Brierfield, with one exploding only three feet from a firefighter attending a blazing bonfire in Arthur Street at 6.45pm yesterday.

Crews claim they are being deliberately ambushed and will now receive police escorts to every bonfire blaze they attend.

Up to 50 missile throwing youths charged the firefighters last night and their engine was hit by stones but no bodywork damage was caused.

In a separate incident in Brierfield this week one officer was hit on the head by a missile. His helmet saved him from injury.

Sub officer Ian Potter said: "We are being deliberately ambushed. We used to be the good guys saving property and lives from fires, now it seems we are the enemy."

Those involved in the latest incidents are said to be aged from seven to young adults.

The problem is to be discussed with local community leaders.

Local councillor Frank Clifford said: "This is incredible, unacceptable and has to be sorted out."

He plans to meet fire officers, police and the president of the local mosque today and said there could be no no-go areas where emergency services could not enter without a police escort. He said: "They should not be doing it, full stop. The whole thing is mindblowing, they are playing at little soldiers and someone will get seriously hurt unless it is stopped."

Mr Potter said last night's incident was the worst of about ten similar calls in Brierfield over the last few days in the Halifax Road, Mansfield Crescent and Tunstill Crescent areas.

Youngsters were starting bonfires on spare land and then calling out the fire and rescue service to an effective ambush, he said.

Mr Potter said the airbomb repeaters which fired up to 60 explosive shells were being aimed at them at head height. He said: "They are being put on their side and as we walk up they come at perfect head height. If one hit you in the face it would cause serious injury through the speed of the projectile and possible explosion."

The shells are designed to travel 30 feet up into the air before they explode.

When the youngsters ran out of fireworks they charged at fire crews to within 20 feet hurling stones, bricks and bottles.

Mr Potter said: "There was no shouting or anything. It was just a blatant attack as soon as we got off the machine. We had to withdraw. When the crews returned with a police escort the gang scattered.

"It has now been decided that when we are called to fires in the Brierfield area we will be accompanied by the police. We are appealing for parents to warn their children against this sort of action. It is not only wasting our time and costing a lot of public money but while we are attending these incidents someone could be at risk or dying somewhere else." Nobody from Nelson police was available for comment today. One resident of the Halifax Road area, who asked not to be named, said: "There has always been problems this time of year with kids and bonfires but nothing like this before.

"It's getting out of hand now but having the police here should put a stop to it." A neighbour added: "We're sick to the back teeth of this every year."