Three boys sparked a fire that caused damage costing £1.4 million to a warehouse and lorries after smoking and lighting cardboard, a court heard.

Two of the boys, aged 12, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, deny starting a fire that burnt down two trailers and a warehouse, owned by Paula Rosa Kitchens, at Water Lane Industrial Park, Storrington, on February 7.

A ten-year-old boy has admitted arson.

Mid Sussex Youth Court heard yesterday the fire started in one of the trailers before spreading to a nearby warehouse containing a large amount of stock.

It caused damage estimated at £600,000 to stock and £800,000 for the buildings and trailers.

The kitchen company, which has its headquarters in Storrington, also lost a substantial amount of trade as a result.

In separate police interviews which were played to the court, the 12-year-olds admitted they had been messing around in the back of one of the trailers with the ten-year-old.

It is alleged two of the boys had lighters. One was smoking a cigarette and another set fire to some cardboard, which they tried to extinguish before climbing out of the trailer.

When asked why he had got into the back of the trailer, the first defendant said: "I just tried to act like part of the gang. I try to hang around with them as much as I can.

"Everything I have said is the truth and nothing but the truth. My mum has told me to tell the truth and I do what my mum says."

The defendant said he had seen the ten-year-old set light to a piece of cardboard in the trailer and he had knocked it to the ground because he did not want it to burn him.

He said: "It fell on the floor a couple of feet away from me. It wasn't a very big flame but it was big enough to cause a fire."

The second defendant described how he had tried to put it out by spitting on it and stamping on it before also climbing out of the trailer.

The court also heard how the managing director had fought desperately to put out the fire, helped by several employees.

Peter Spears said: "There was fire at the back of the building between the wall and the trailers.

"I grabbed three workers and and collected fire extinguishers and ran to the back of the building.

"The three of us tried to put out the fire but it was not possible."

The fire was attended by 25 fire engines, rescue vehicles and ambulances.

One firefighter was injured and had to be taken to hospital.

The case continues.