A JOINT task force has been formed to tackle the menace of anti-social fires in Lancashire's arson capital.

Police and firefighters say they are determined to reduce the number of nuisance blazes in Blackburn and Darwen.

Like most major urban centres Blackburn with Darwen has always ranked particularly high when it comes to arson.

But statistics revealed earlier this year by the county's fire authority show Blackburn was the worst in Lancashire.

Work will specifically target known offenders.

Young arsonists often set bins or similar items ablaze for the thrill of witnessing firefighters dealing with the incidents, say fire officials.

And in Blackpool a youth is being prosecuted, in what is believed to be a UK first, on the suspicion of obstructing firefighters. The group will look into whether to step up such prosecutions in Blackburn with Darwen.

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said Blackburn with Darwen already led the way in multi-agency fire initiatives and that the new scheme would be a continuation of that.

"Blackburn was where we launched a scheme that we are now rolling out across the county, whereby the courts, through the council's young offending team, assign young people convicted of starting nuisance fires, to attend arson reduction programmes."