POLICE and firefighters have warned children about the potential danger to life following a series of grass fires in the Anton Lakes area of Andover.

One of the most serious incidents happened at 3pm on Monday when firefighters were called out to tackle a blaze at the rear of Andover War Memorial Hospital.

Firefighter Trevor Williams said the fire had got into the trees and it blackened an area about 20ft across.

There has been a total of six fires in the nature reserve area in less than a fortnight and police and firefighters are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of children, who are thought to be responsible.

He said: "It was a still day but fire can move very fast if there is a wind, particularly if it's growing grass."

The greatest danger is when the fire gets into trees because it can then travel even faster, as in the case of the fire at the rear of the hospital.

"Apart from the fact that it is a real nuisance for everyone, it means we are having to deal with these fires when there could be another more serious emergency," said Mr Williams.

"Children don't realise the potential danger they are in. It would only take the wind to change for them to be in serious trouble."

Pc Ted Reynolds also warned about the danger of playing with fires - for children and other people.

"We have an ongoing inquiry into the fires," he said.