FIRE chiefs have launched a major safety campaign designed to cut down on one of the major causes of blazes in North Yorkshire.

Chimney fires accounted for almost ten per cent of the call-outs in the county last year - and firefighters spent an astonishing 36 working weeks tackling them.

Now the county's fire and rescue service is launching a determined effort to reduce that figure - principally by encouraging people to have their chimneys swept.

The scheme is to be piloted in Colburn, near Catterick, where one in 20 of the county's chimney fires take place leading to firefighters spending two working weeks tackling the incidents.

The fire and rescue service has teamed up with Colburn Town Council and the National Association of Chimney Sweeps for Sweep 2002, which will run from June to October.

Leaflets will be distributed highlighting the dangers, providing information on preventative action and advice on what to do should such a fire occur.

It also includes a removable plastic card that will also act as a 10 per cent discount against the cost of having a chimney swept.

To further help the more vulnerable members of the community, the town council has also contributed £300 to the campaign, which will primarily be used to subsidise the cost of sweeping by 25 per cent.

Fire chief Eric Clark said: "The perception is that chimney fires are relatively minor. Quite simply this is not the case.

"Chimney fires are not always confined to the chimney but can easily spread through the home leaving behind a trail of destruction."

He added: "Through proper maintenance these fires can be avoided, thus reducing the cost to the taxpayer and ensuring essential resources are available to deal with fires of a more immediately life-threatening nature."

Colburn mayor Peter Wood said: "I am delighted that Colburn has been chosen to pilot this scheme and am confident that not only will it prove to be successful but will also act as a template for other schemes in the county."