Teenagers took part in a dangerous stunt of setting fire to newspaper and cardboard in a shopping trolley.

The criminal damage, captured on video, took place in a residential street.

Shaky footage on video-sharing website YouTube shows two youths gathering around the shopping trolley before torching it.

It does not catch on the first attempt but, after a caption flags up saying "Two minutes later", the footage shows the trolley enveloped in flames.

The cameraman, who filmed the video using a mobile phone, then zooms in on the flames.

The footage was uploaded on to YouTube this week.

The youths wear sweaters with hoods pulled over their heads.

The 35-second clip was shot in East Grinstead. A comment posted on YouTube reads: "This is a trolley fire started in East Grinstead in the middle of tha nite. ssshhhhh dont tell any1".

The clip has provoked concern among senior councillors.

Leader of East Grinstead Town Council James Baldwin said: "I am appalled that this act should have happened and that it should be glorified on YouTube.

"It's not smart, not clever and could lead to serious damage to the town's businesses and reputation. I will be following up with the police to ensure a robust response."

The footage was condemned by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Gary Towson.

He said: "This is a case of antisocial behaviour and young people making a nuisance of themselves.

"It's a complete waste of our time. It's incidents like this that are tying up our fire engines, which means they are not available for what could be life-threatening incidents elsewhere."