FIREFIGHTERS came under a hail of bricks and stones from a 30-strong mob of youngsters as they tried to tackle a skip fire.

Now, a new initiative has been launched in a bid to stamp out incidents which firefighters say has plagued them for 15 years in Accrington.

Stones and abuse was hurled at them by children when they arrived at Victoria Industrial Park, Nuttall Street, Accrington, on Thursday night, to extinguish an industrial skip which was on fire.

Between 20 and 30 youngsters refused to move, making the job more difficult for firefighters.

The incident is being investigated and treated as suspicious.

Station Officer Peter Ashworth said: "We have two appliances at Accrington, but if a firefighter is injured that appliance cannot respond and this reduces services by 50 per cent until the problem is sorted out.

"They don't realise the implications of what they are actually doing, but it could literally be a life or death situation.

"It could be their own parents, family or friends who die because we are tied up with something like this.

"As with hoax calls, detracting us could directly effect them and their family."

The new community safety initiative is set to improve matters by radically changing the way that firefighters use their time. Instead of continually reinspecting certified buildings, the teams will be out and about speaking directly to children in one-on-one and groups situations.

Station Officer Ashworth added: "Each of the four watches will target an area of Hyndburn, where they will visit schools to speak to children about fire safety issues, raise awareness and improve relations. We will talk to them about real life scenarios and the effects -- which they relate to better and which bring the message home to them a bit more."

Visits will also be made to houses throughout Hyndburn in order to give safety checks, fit smoke alarms and give fire safety advice to occupants.

Today, firefighters will be available to answer safety questions and give out smoke detectors at Accrington Market Hall.

They will where they will be trying out new ropes and harnesses by abseiling down the building.

This will take place about 2.30pm.

Anyone who wants to discuss fire safety issues, who requires a smoke detector fitting or wants risk assessment doing can contact Accrington fire station on 01254 235211.