A FIRE brigade campaign which aims to save lives by cutting down on hoax calls is proving a huge success.

Latest figures released by Lancashire Fire Brigade show the number of malicious calls has fallen by almost 50 per cent in the last year.

The brigade's annual community report reveals hoax 999 calls fell from 3,874 to 2,064 in 1995.

The fire brigade now hopes to get the number of hoax calls down to zero.

Gordon Russel, the county's chief fire officer, said: "The brigade has worked hard in reducing the number of deliberate and malicious calls and that is reflected in the latest report.

"It is important that we eradicate this anti-social behaviour which can leave parts of the community unprotected due to firefighters being committed to false calls." Hoaxers made up a small proportion of the 54,729 people who call out fire fighters last year.

The largest number of visits were triggered by automatic fire alarms closely followed by non-malicious false alarms.

People injured and killed in blazes has also fallen in recent years compared to a decade ago.

Just 15 people died in fires last year in contrast to 1986 when there were 32 fatalities and the number of injuries has also fallen from 406 to 385.

Fire officials say safety campaigns have led to the downward trend. Children and schools across Lancashire will continue to be targeted by fire brigade initiatives.

A brigade spokesman said: "When you examine some of the statistics relating to the number of malicious phone calls received and the number of deaths and injuries from fire there is a downward trend.

"At this stage it gives an indication that the fire safety message is being heard.

"Lancashire County Fire Brigade will continue to actively pursue this very valuable work."

A counselling service has just been set up for children who have been caught starting fires or making hoax calls.

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