Fire crews to replace 5,000 beeping smoke alarms

A fire service is having to replace up to 5,000 smoke alarms, after receiving hundreds of complaints that they will not stop beeping.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service had installed the alarms, which are meant to have a 10-year lifespan, as part of their home safety checks.

Some of the alarms have gone into "low battery mode" after five years, causing the beeping, the fire service said.

A spokesman said the alarms would continue to work in low battery mode.

"We accept this is a nuisance and a frustration but the smoke alarm will still afford protection in the home," he said.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue said it was working with the alarms' manufacturers to establish the cause of the fault.