FIREFIGHTERS have launched a campaign to protect elderly people from perils of fire.

During the next three months, they hope to ensure that every elderly person in the Thirsk area has a smoke alarm fitted and working in their home.

The campaign has been given an initial boost with a donation from Eurodesign Trafalgar and a target of £10,000 has been set.

Assistant divisional officer John Swires said: "We are aiming to ensure that every elderly person in Thirsk is safe from the effects of a fire in their home."

The mayor of Thirsk, Freda Roberts said: "I'm pleased to be able to lend my support to this campaign.

"I shall be looking to the council to see if there are any practical ways we can work in partnership with the fire service to make sure the target is met."

Long-standing fire authority member Bill Barron said: "Initiatives such as this will work towards helping the service reach its overall target of ensuring that 90 per cent of all homes in the county have correctly fitted and working smoke alarms by the year 2003."