The fire service is appealing to students who are moving into accommodation for the new academic year.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is particularly concerned about those young people living away from home for the first time.

According to national statistics, a significant number of fires in student halls are caused by cooking appliances.

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Emma Roberts, head of prevention at HWFRS, said: "When living away from home, it’s important to recognise new fire hazards and take precautions to reduce your risk.

"The majority of fires we attend at student accommodation start in the kitchen, often when someone has become distracted.

"We’re asking students to make sure they don’t leave cooking unattended and take extra care if cooking with oil.

"And don’t cook if under the influence of alcohol."

As part of the Fire Kills campaign, HWFRS is urging students to follow their top fire safety tips.

These include testing smoke alarms regularly, using fragrance sprays instead of candles, and reacting quickly to fire alarms.

They also advise against lighting candles, covering smoke alarms, and leaving cooking unattended.

This advice comes during Student Fire Safety Week, which runs from September 23-29, and aims to raise awareness of the importance of fire safety among students.