A FIRE brigade is offering youngsters a course to promote fire safety awareness.

Cleveland Fire Brigade's Safety Awareness Fire Education programme (Safe) is a six-week course for 13 to 17-year-olds.

The first session will take place today, with another course planned for Tuesday, March 7, at the Young Firefighters' Centre, next to Stranton Station, Hartlepool.

Topics to be covered include anti-social behaviour, hoax calls, arson and car theft.

Mike Greenwood, Safe course co-ordinator said: "The brigade has been running Safe courses since 2002, from Redcar, and it's fantastic we are able to run further courses in Hartlepool, due to our new facilities.

"The purpose of the programme is to introduce young people to different aspects of the fire brigade, as well as trying to raise their awareness of social problems and fire safety within their community. The programme aims to promote self-respect and respect for others, increase self-esteem and communication skills whilst teaching self-discipline and teamwork."