A HARD-HITTING campaign to increase the number of smoke alarms in houses was launched today -- backed by a man who lost his wife and son in a blaze at their home.

Last year 16 people died and a further 118 were injured in the county as a result of fires in the home.

The campaign by Lancashire firefighters, in conjunction with The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, aims cut these figures.

Gaynor Stoddard and her son Brandon died last year, after being rescued from their blazing home in Lonsdale Street, Accrington.

Following the tragedy safety officers fitted 22 smoke detectors in houses in their street in a bid to prevent another tragedy.

Gaynor's husband, Bryan, 43, who now lives with his two sons Aaron, 14, and Dean, 11, is backing the latest campaign.

He said: "This campaign has got to be a good thing if it can prevent anybody else from going through what we have.

"Smoke alarms are one of the last things people think about buying because you never think it is going to happen to you. But I would advise everyone to go out and get one --what's £5 compared to a life?

"We had smoke alarms at our house in Lonsdale Street but they were still in the boxes because we didn't fit them -- they could have saved a lot of people a lot of misery. The material things in a house can be replaced but nothing can replace what we have lost."

Bryan, and his daughters Lyndsay, 21, Lisa, 19, and Melanie, 16, all have smoke detectors in their houses now, but a fifth of homes still do not have them. And of those that do many are not checked to make sure they are working. Statistics show you are twice as likely to die in a fire without a working smoke alarm.

"Excuses kill. Get a smoke alarm" is the simple message behind the campaign which uses disturbing images of coffins and gravestones bearing the slogan to stress the importance of buying, fitting and checking detectors.

Chief Fire Officer Peter Holland said: "A smoke alarm can buy everyone valuable time and ensure you get out before it's too late."

Further information on the campaign is available through www.community-fire-safety.org.uk

and a campaign leaflet containing more information is available from fire stations, Woolworths, Homebase, B&Q, Help the Aged shops, Wickes, Robert Dyas and some Tesco, Sainsbury's and Comet stores.