The fire service has received ten hoax calls in Watford since March 1, sparking fears lives could be lost while the town's firefighters rush to fake emergencies.

Between March 1 and 18, three hoax 999 calls were made to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue. A further six were received by the control centre in Stevenage between March 25 and March 31. One more was made between April 1 and April 7.

The fire service believe most calls are made by older children using a mobile, with the number of calls peaking between 5pm and 10pm.

Lisa Jackson, control room manager, said: "We will challenge callers if we feel they are making a hoax call.

However, there is a balance between challenging callers who we believe are making a malicious call, and sending fire engines out to incidents where we believe there may be a chance that people are in danger.

"While crews are attending hoax calls they are not available to attend a genuine emergency where someone's life could be at risk. Lives can and will be lost if fire engines are not available for genuine emergencies and I would also remind people that making a hoax call is illegal and we will pursue offenders with the assistance of the police.

"Next time anyone is thinking of making a call of this nature, we would urge them to consider the consequences and think twice."

Calls made to 999 can be traced, whether using a mobile phone or landline, and if someone is thought to be making repeated calls, the fire service will work with police to catch the culprits.

Ian Chadd, a trainee firefighter at Rickmansworth station, said crews are unaware if they are responding to a hoax call until they arrive at their destination.

He said: "It happens more during the school holidays when kids are bored. We want to get the message across that it could be them who needs us to help them. While we're dealing with a hoax call their house could be burning down.

"Sometimes they just like to see the fire engine turn up but they haven't realised the consequences of their actions. There could be a day they need us but we're out doing something else."