PARENTS are being urged to make sure their children do not spend their summer holidays starting fires.

Minors are believed to be responsible for more than two-thirds of deliberate fires which Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) attends.

It wants parents help to reduce this figure by telling their youngsters about how they put themselves and others at risk if they start blazes.

The KFRS's head of community safety Stuart Skelton said: "We want to get the message out that arson is a crime, not just harmless fun, and deliberate fires are destructive and dangerous.

"Fire setters are putting themselves, and others, at serious risk.

"Not only does deliberate fire setting have an impact on the environment in which we all live and work, it also have the potential to divert valuable fire-fighting resources away from other incidents such as house fires or road traffic collisions where lives may be in danger."

Anyone with any information about arsonists can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.