Lives were potentially put at risk when a child called out Camborne firefighters for a joke.

A crew from Tolvaddon Community Fire Station rushed out just before 3.45pm on Sunday when a call came in reporting a house on fire.

A fire service spokesman said the call was abandoned before an address was given, but thanks to technology available in fire control the location of the telephone being used was displayed.

The spokesman, who said the call was believed to have been made by a child, added: "There was no sign of fire when the firefighters arrived at the address and the call was determined to have been made maliciously.

"Whilst the firefighters were investigating this call, they were not available to answer any genuine emergencies, if they had occurred."

Police have now launched an investigation, as it is a crime to make hoax calls to the emergency services.

"Please teach your children not to misuse the telephone system and potentially put lives at risk," said the fire service spokesman.