THOUSANDS of homeowners across Lancashire will receive free smoke alarms and safety advice as part of a £560,000 fire prevention package to save lives.

More than 31,000 people will be offered the safety measures, with priority given to the vulnerable -- such as older people, young families and black and ethnic minority groups -- who are statistically more at risk from house fires.

The Lancashire funding, part of a £25million national package for local fire and rescue authorities, was announced by Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope.

The scheme will be introduced over four years with up to 31,148 smoke alarms installed across Lancashire, mostly in private homes and rented homes in the private sector.

It is hoped the scheme will save more than 20 lives a year.

Mr Hope said: "Fire and rescue services around the country know well where the fire risks are in the communities they serve and that only too often they have to pick up the pieces from entirely preventable domestic fires. When facing up to risks and dangers, most people want personal contact and practical help from someone they trust and this funding will offer just that, especially to deprived areas and communities.

"Throughout Lancashire, firefighters conduct home fire safety check visits to domestic property where, at the invitation of the householder, they will identify potential fire hazards such as overloaded electrical sockets and clothes left to dry too near heaters and fit smoke alarms."