NINE youths charged with starting a fire that bought the M1 to a grinding halt, causing £4.5million worth of damage, were today acquitted of the arson.

The teenagers, aged between 15 ad 18, were all found not guilty for the offence at Wood Green Crown Court but were collectively convicted of more that 20 counts of arson in Barnet between April 12 and April 16 last year.

Among the teens was a 15-year-old from West Harrow, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit arson, relating to fires at Edgwarebury Park and Moat Mount, Mill Hill.

He is set to return to the same court for sentencing on Wednesday May 9, while the other eight will appear for sentencing on Friday, May 4.

During an eight week trial the court heard how the youngsters had collectively planned and lit four separate fires in close proximity to each other near to the Apex Corner and M1 on consecutive days.

When they embarked on the spate, the teenagers took photos on their mobile phones of themselves posing next to the fires they had started, which they then uploaded onto Facebook.  A number of these photos were then 'tagged', indicating who they were.

The youngsters sourced materials to burn from skips, they included old curtains and a television. Accelerants in the form of carpet cleaner and aerosols were also used.

The youths involved and their charges are as follows:

Luke Matthews, 18, of Richmond Court, Hatfield, previously pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to commit arson.

Johno Johnson, 18, of Millfield Road, Edgware, previously pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to commit arson.

Josh Rylan Lambe, 18, of Harcourt Avenue, Edgware, previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson.

Damien John McQueen, 18, of Harcourt Avenue, Edgware, was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit arson.

Hannah Louise Parker, 18, of Meadfield, Edgware, was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit arson.

Juan Durandt, 18, of Meadfield, Edgware was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit arson. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson.

A 17-year-old boy from Edgware previously pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to commit arson.

A 15-year-old boy from West Harrow was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit arson.

A 16-year old boy from Edgware was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit arson. He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit arson.

They were all acquitted of the M1 arson.