Alarms fitted 'by the thousands'

Nottinghamshire fire service has installed more than 53,000 fire alarms in the county in the past four years in a campaign to improve fire safety.

Statistics released by the fire service show that more than 39,000 safety checks have been carried out since 2004 - with almost 10,000 fitted last year.

The campaign is aimed at households with elderly and vulnerable residents.

Station Manager Andy Bettison said the original target for the period was 25,000 safety checks.

Mr Bettison said the safety officers look for proper cooking methods, properly installed electrical sockets and smoke alarms.

He added that vulnerable people included single mothers, elderly people and people with alcohol abuse problems.