LANCASHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is one of the best in the country for home safety check visits and fitting smoke alarms, new figures show.

Fire officers made 36,125 visits and fitted 35,832 smoke alarms last year double the totals for London and Greater Manchester put together.

At the invitation of the householder, the visits can identify potential fire hazards such as overloaded sockets.

Because a smoke detector provides the essential early warning, firefighters will fit one or more for free during a visit if the home is not already equipped.

Lancashire's Chief Fire Officer, Peter Holland, stressed the performance was down to firefighters, community safety workers and support staff across the county.

He said: "The number of visits are having a direct influence on reducing fires in the home, with fire deaths and injuries at the lowest level on record."

Visits may be booked, free of charge, on 0800 1691125.