A DRAMATIC fall in the number of house fires has not only saved lives but also £5m.

The head of the fire service in Worcestershire and Herefordshire said education was at the heart of its successful strategy to reduce blazes, along with the "dedication" of its firefighters.

The number of homes damaged by fire during the past three years, has dropped by nearly 700, compared to figures for the previous three-year period.

This has led to a fall in injuries and deaths and financial savings.

Firefighters now visit schools and have spoken to more than 32,000 children in the two counties, during their safety campaign.

Brian Tregunna, the Chief Fire Officer for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said the huge reduction had come about since the service began working with the two county councils.

"When we started our local public service agreements three years ago, the targets we set to reduce fire, fatalities and injuries in the home were considered to be very demanding.

"However, thanks to the dedication of our firefighters and staff who are totally committed to public safety and the prevention of fires, people in the two counties are safer in their homes.

"The success is vindication of our prevention and education work."

The fire service said an example of how education could save lives was when Harvington CE First School pupil Damien Smith, at the age of eight, raised the alarm during a fire in his home, just a few days after Evesham firefighters visited his school in 2002.

The £5m saving for the local economy is based on the latest Government analysis of fire costs.

Steve Laugher, the secretary of the Hereford and Worcester branch of the Fire Brigade Union said the aim was to achieve "zero deaths from fire".

"We are all committed to preventing fires and will continue in our work to make our communities safe."