Every year, as many as 300 Hampshire children, some as young as two, are involved in starting fires. But, thanks to therapy, practically none of them do it a second time.

The Fire Setter Intervention Scheme is run by 35 volunteers from the county's fire service.

Started in 1996, it is co-ordinated by Mo Bond, the service's youth liaison officer.

"Arson in this country strikes every six minutes and it costs the taxpayer £4m a day," she said.

Most of those referred to the scheme are under 18 and they are almost all boys.

"The youngest we've dealt with has been two years of age," said Mo.

Children start fires for a variety of reasons, ranging from curiosity to revenge and from delinquency to mental problems, said Mo.

She says films and music videos showing performers surrounded by flames give youngsters a false sense of security and the impression that fire doesn't burn you."

Youngsters may be referred to Fire Setters by parents, teachers, youth workers or by the emergency services.

Volunteers visit the children in their homes and give them videos, posters and booklets on the dangers of fire.

"It's tailored to the child's needs," said Mo.

Visits continue until the volunteers are happy that the child will not play with fire again - and that can take anything from two to two dozen sessions.

As an example, Mo says a 13-year-old Eastleigh boy who was referred to them in 2002 after he had started fires near sheltered homes had gone through the programme and had stayed out of trouble since.

In Hampshire, Fire Setters has a 96% success rate.

The scheme was the brainchild of Andrew Muckley, a forensic psychologist, who worked for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

It has since been adopted by many fire brigades in the UK and overseas.

Andrew died earlier this year after losing a battle with cancer - but Mo is making sure that his idea lives on.