Firefighters have condemned vandals who have carried out a spate of arson attacks around Haywards Heath.

Crews are handing out leaflets and have put up an arson noticeboard to alert residents and deter young firestarters.

Six calls were received last week to arson-related incidents in the town, particularly around Franklands Village, where youngsters torched scrubland and hedges.

Crews were called to a bonfire at the back of the Methodist church in Perrymount Road and just over an hour later to a blaze at Highbrook fencing yard, near Ardingly, where 40 tyres and two cars were destroyed.

Firefighters also had to deal with a fire in undergrowth at Reed Pond Walk in Franklands Village and a fire in bushes at nearby Charles Bennett Court.

There have been other similar incidents in the area over the last few days.

Station commander Roger Wood said: "We're had half a dozen calls in the last week alone. It always gets worse in the holidays with bored youngsters out on the streets.

"We've put up an arson board to alert local people to the problem. It's a pain for us, a pain for people living near the fires, and it's a crime."

The boards carry details of the incidents and ask members of the public to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if they have any information.

Bill Howkins, West Sussex fire brigade's director of community protection, said: "We consider heath and grassland fire as a serious matter. Not only do they damage the environment but they are a severe safety risk for any one who happens to be caught up in them.

"The legal penalties for deliberately starting such fires is fierce."

A nationwide scheme to fight arson is being launched next month.