OFFICERS at Preston Fire Station are looking to the past to help get a modern safety message across after the number of fires started deliberately in the city rose by 40 per cent from last year.

A new community safety officer, modelled on the old-fashioned community bobbies of days gone by, is taking to the streets.

Dave Newton, 38, uses up to 30 hours a week of his own time to visit schools and community centres to spread a safety message to youngsters.

Firefighters say that 1,400 fires have been started deliberately in Preston over the last year. Now Dave is being used as the latest firefighting tool, without having to pick up a single hose.

Whenever there is a spare minute, and he isn't needed to man the fire engines, Dave is talking to children in the city's Avenham and St Matthew's wards and hopes one day to be able to take on the role of community firefighter full time.

He said: "We are still held up like movie stars and footballers, especially after September 11. And if children have a relationship with us then it makes it more personal. I walk into Avenham and the kids shout out 'Hello fireman Dave!'

"But it's not just about fires. It's about health, drugs, and crime. We're working with all the different agencies, health, youth and social services."

Dave, from Longton, is having such an effect on local children that when his scooter was stolen from outside a community centre, as soon as the local children found out it was his they tracked it down and returned it!

Kate Thorpe, coordinator for the Inner Preston regeneration partnership, praised the scheme. She said: "The fire service is offering a unique approach engaging communities and young people on their own terms. The partnership has recently released a draft neighbourhood renewal strategy. Key issues identified by communities and service providers include youth nuisance, drugs, fear of crime, burnt cars and poor school attainment."

Preston firefighter Keith Marsh added: "Being a firefighter is something a lot of kids aspire to. Being David Beckham is a pipe dream, but a firefighter is attainable. We can motivate them to believe in themselves."