FIRE and rescue services in Lancashire are to benefit from new mobile phones to help in their fight against arson.

Blackburn firm Neil Howard Telecoms is donating three mobiles as part of a state-of-the-art communications service which will help fire officers from the Arson Reduction Team.

The communications business will also sponsor the team, which is a partnership between the police and fire service and gives advice to companies on how to avoid arson attacks.

Arson Reduction Team member Station Officer Rick Percival said: "Our comprehensive understanding of arson and arsonists enables us to effectively advise businesses on how to minimise the possibility of an arson attack.

The mobiles will come in handy because the nature of the team's work involves officers being out of the office as they visit businesses to assess property and give advice.

In return for providing continuous help the Neil Howard Telecoms emblem will appear on some Fire and Rescue Service Support vehicles.

Co-owner of the telecoms business Howard Jones said: "We have provided the phones and will pay for the line rentals and bills.

"The team has three support vehicles, but if it decides to expands we will provide more equipment as and when it is needed."

The team was set up last year and is funded by the Arson Control Forum and the government's regional crime director.

Many arson-hit businesses never recover, and the team says that financial losses up to £15million caused by fires at commercial properties are not uncommon.