NORTH Yorkshire Fire and Rescue is still failing to meet key targets on road deaths and fire injuries, according to a report.

But the service's performance in other areas is greatly improved.

The latest performance report will be presented to the county fire authority on Wednesday.

The document shows that the service has a red rating in the number of accidental fire injuries, the number of deaths at road collisions attended by firefighters and the number of unwanted calls.

A red rating means the service is missing this year's target and is worse than last year's target. However number of red ratings has fallen since the last report was prepared.

There has only been once accidental fire death since April last year, compared with a target of six.

The number of people hurt in road accidents and the number of accidental fires are also below the target level.

From April last year to January 12, there have been 88 accidental fire injuries compared with a target of 66. The greatest percentage rise has been in York and Hambleton.

In the report, the director of corporate services, Ian Young, said: "Efforts continue across the authority's area and some 2,378 households have been visited in Hambleton alone so far this financial year to carry out home safety risk assessments and fit smoke alarms.

"Fire in the home is the highest cause of fire deaths and injuries, and such targeted efforts should reduce the number of fire injuries."

In the same period, 44 people have died in road accidents attended by the fire service. The target is 32.

A publicity campaign was launched in October after 12 people were killed in 20 days.

Mr Young said schools were now allocating time for road safety talks by firefighters.

He said: "Other initiatives aimed at speed as a cause continue including the acquisition of four semi-permanent speed matrix signs in Hambleton and new radar equipment aimed at bikers entering the county will be deployed in Richmondshire in the summer months.

"In the York area, all road traffic collision deaths have been on A roads, and they are being targeted with initiatives as well as through involvement in the design of engineering schemes prior to implementation."