They are increasing the amount of time spent on arson education.

Firefighters say they rarely catch arsonists who start small fires, many of which are thought to be caused by children.

But now they have produced a hard-hitting video, giving several firefighter's accounts of the dangers of deliberate fires.

Tragic results

It also includes an appeal by the son of Bob Miller - the firefighter who died on duty in Leicester last year.

Fire crews say there has been a large increase in the number of deliberately started "secondary fires".

Paul Dickens is a Community Safety Officer based at Southern fire station in the city.

He said: "Fire's involving grass, fences, hedges and recycling bins, bushes and trees, have increased by over 42% in the last five year period."

It is hoped the new education programme will engage the emotions of school children with the sometimes tragic results of playing with fire.