VOLUNTEERS who bring meals on wheels to the elderly are taking part in a safety campaign.

Keen to reduce the number of house fires on Teesside, Cleveland Fire Brigade has enlisted help from the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS).

The WRVS is in daily contact with the elderly, delivering meals and running other community projects such as transport schemes, organising social clubs and raising money for hospital projects.

Volunteers will in future refer the elderly they visit to the brigade for a free home fire safety check. Local firefighters will visit to discuss safety tips and fit free smoke alarms or replace batteries in existing alarms if necessary.

Dave Turton, the brigade's community education manager said: "It is important for us to reach all groups in our community.

"Statistically, people over the age of 60 are twice as likely to be a victim of fire.

"By working in partnership with agencies such as the WRVS, who can refer people to us, we can save lives.

"We are delighted to be working with WRVS and hope we can help raise awareness of the fantastic work they do."

Maria Rudd, WRVS operations manager, said: "This is an incredibly poignant campaign for all WRVS volunteers and staff in Cleveland.

"The figures are hugely distressing and WRVS volunteers and staff have had instances where we've called out the fire brigade due to gas leaks or lost a client due to a house fire.''

For a free home fire safety check, call (01429) 874063.

Anyone interested in finding out more about WRVS Meals with Care is asked to call (01642) 222643.