A SCHEME to reduce house fires on Teesside is to receive £250,000 from the Government.

The funding will provide free smoke alarms for residents.

Cleveland Fire Brigade will receive £45,932 a year from the Government, for the next three years, and a final payment of £91,910 during the year 2007 to 2008.

The brigade is already running a Home Fire Safety Check campaign.

Brigade executive director Ian Hayton said: "This is a welcome boost for the brigade's community fire safety initiatives and will be used to provide free smoke alarms for the most vulnerable residents in our community, especially elderly people, young families on low incomes and minority ethnic groups.

"The grants are being made to support community fire safety work with the aim of reducing the number of accidental, fire-related deaths in the home by 20 per cent by 2010. The grant must be spent on providing free smoke alarms."

Firefighters visit people in their homes to offer free advice on home fire safety, check and fit free smoke alarms where necessary and help residents plan an escape route in case of fire.

Mr Hayton said: "This new scheme is expected to drive down the number of fires, deaths and injuries in the home and could save more than 20 lives each year throughout the country."

To arrange a home fire safety check call 0845 120 2444.