Teenagers have been starting fires in secondary school toilets in what council chiefs branded a “dangerous and reckless” new TikTok craze.

The Times has seen footage of two youngsters at Greenwood Academy setting alight the toilet paper roll in a cubicle – which is understood to have been filmed and shared online earlier this month.

North Ayrshire Council confirmed several youngsters had since been identified by staff at the school before being spoken to by the police. Their parents have also been informed.

The council added that Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be working with pupils to raise awareness of the dangers of wilful fireraising.

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council told the Times: “We are taking a partnership approach to dealing with this dangerous and reckless incident which appears to have stemmed from a TikTok trend.

“Several pupils have been identified and interviewed by the school’s campus police officer.

Scottish Fire and Rescue will be working with the pupils over the next few weeks to raise awareness of the dangers of lighting fires.

“The parents of those involved have been informed and they are fully supportive of our actions.”

TikTok is a video sharing social media app – used primarily by young people.

Users can share their own amateur filmed videos – often music related – but occasionally involving potentially dangerous stunts.

Police Scotland were contacted regarding the fire-raising incident.