FIRE chiefs are warning parents to beware of the deadly habit of fire fascination in children as young as three.

Firefighters in Nelson have tackled three house fires over the last month started by youngsters playing with fire. The youngest child was just three years old.

Now fire crews want to tackle the obsession before it leads to tragedy by offering an education scheme for children fascinated with fire.

The Fire Awareness Child Education (FACE) scheme places trained advisers with a child, at the invitation of parents, and encourages them to stop playing with fire.

Shock figures show that in 2004, 97 children were referred to the burns unit at the Royal Preston Hospital.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service says the scheme is a great success with no re-referrals in 95 per cent of cases dealt with by the FACE team.

Mark Woodward, watch manager for Red Watch at Nelson fire station, said: "We're talking here about youngsters who are starting fires in their own homes using cigarette lighters or matches, so the first step a parent can take is to keep such items out of reach.

"That's not a solution in itself, though, as a determined child can track down a source even then. The answer is for parents to acknowledge there's a problem and seek advice." Concerned parents can contact the fire service on 0800 1691125.