CHILDREN have set fire to grass and built up woodland amid East Lancashire's mini heatwave.

Fire crews responded to reports of three incidents in Padiham, which occurred within 20 minutes of each other on Wednesday night.

A woodland behind High Close, Padiham caught fire at around 8.45pm followed by reports of a grass fire at 9.02pm on Kings Drive and another on Eaton Close one minute later.

It is thought four young children, aged between eight and nine, had set fire to the green land, which did not cause any damage to neighbouring properties.

Similar grass fires have occurred in Rivington and Blackburn in the last week.

Following the outbreak of grass fires, officers have now issued a warning to parents.

A fire service spokesman said: "We condemn the actions of these children. They are very young and that's why the message to responsible adults is to step in and recognise what their kids are out doing. The scale of damage that could have been inflicted should not be ignored."