THE number of chip pan fires in Middlesbrough is rising - despite Cleveland Fire Brigade's two- year Ban the Pan campaign.

Last year, during June and August, chip pan fires accounted for nine per cent of all incidents attended by the brigade in the town.

That rate has shot up to 33 per cent for the same period this year - with much of the increase being blamed on the effects of alcohol.

Fire chiefs say many of the blazes are as a result of someone staggering home drunk, putting on the chip pan - then falling asleep on the sofa.

Firefighters will visit social clubs across Middlesbrough to graphically illustrate to drinkers the dangers of chip pans as part of a controlled demonstration.

Crews will visit the Dormans Club, in Oxford Road, Middlesbrough, tomorrow, dropping in at the RAOB Club, in Wilton Street, on Friday, and the Westgarth Club, Southfield Road, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, on Saturday.

They will also hand out leaflets and offer people the chance to have a free fire safety home visit.

The clubs draw membership from areas which have high numbers of call-outs, including the town centre wards of University, Gresham, Ayresome and Middlehaven.

Dave Turton, Marine station manager said: "Overall, across the brigade, area figures have dramatically dropped.

"Nevertheless, we still have a number of chip pan fires and alcohol is a common factor in some of them.

"It is extremely important that people understand the dangers of chip pans before any more accidents happen which could cause damage to property, injuries or worse.''

The brigade is encouraging people to throw out their chip pans and use safer alternatives.

These could included using thermostatically controlled deep fat fryers, or cooking oven or microwave chips.

Tony Churchill, the brigade's Middlesbrough district manager, said: "In the brigade, we have an intelligence unit, which is used to identify hot spots, trends and causes for concern.

"By recognising issues such as the rise in chip pan fires we can do something about it.

"Fifty per cent of the chip pan fires over the past three months have been in our targeted areas.

"That is why we are going to clubs in Middlesbrough to increase the awareness of fire safety."