Three teenagers charged after an off-duty police officer was bitten and stabbed are due to appear in court today.

The 38-year-old man victim was found stabbed in the arm and with human bite marks on his body at Wanstead Flats in the afternoon of September 15.

He was allegedly attacked after he intervened when he saw people trying to start a fire on one of the football pitches.

Two teenage girls, aged 14 and 15, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault.

Later a 13-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of being involved in the incident.

They had been bailed for the third time in early December and were charged last month.

A 15-year-old girl was charged with wounding with intent, arson, possession of a knife in a public place, possession of cannabis and grievous bodily harm.

A 14-year-old girl was charged with arson and actual bodily harm.

A 13-year-old boy was charged with arson and possession of a knife in a public place.

All three, who cannot be named, will appear at Redbridge Youth Court in Barkingside today.