Two Folkestone teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a grass fire was reportedly started with petrol.

The youngsters, aged 16 and 17, are being interviewed over the blaze at the Canterbury Road recreation ground.

Officers were called at around 9.35pm yesterday after reports youths were spraying petrol on grass before setting it on fire.

Insp Mark Weller, from Kent Police, said: "This was a particularly stupid thing to do.

"Even after the overnight rain on Monday, the grass is very dry and easily catches fire.

"The risk is that a fire then spreads quickly and it is not difficult to imagine the possible consequences, not to mention the waste of fire service resources."

During one week this month, Kent Fire and Rescue Service received 114 reports of outdoor fires to grassland and rubbish.