A SERIES of fire safety campaigns is to be launched in the New Forest in a bid to cut the number of deaths and injuries.

It follows a major restructuring exercise carried out by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, which has split the Forest into two areas to improve the way it delivers vital safety messages.

The initiative is part of a county-wide attempt to cut the number of people killed or injured in fires by 20 per cent over the next five years.

Fire chiefs are also determined to achieve a ten per cent reduction in arson attacks over the same period.

Steve Pegler is in charge of the area that has been designated New Forest North.

He said: "We'll be working closely with residents and our partners across the Forest to get important fire safety messages across to the community.

"By splitting the Forest into two manageable areas, the fire service can build strong relationships with residents throughout the district and work with them to reduce the number of fire-related incidents."

Mr Pegler's patch comprises Burley, Fordingbridge, Ringwood and Totton.

His colleague Phil White will be in charge of New Forest South, where cover is provided by firefighters based at Brockenhurst, Hardley, Lymington and New Milton.

New Forest District Council has welcomed the scheme.

Council leader Mel Kendal said: "It is crucial that people are educated about the risks of fire and what they can do to prevent life-threatening incidents."

The scheme coincides with a project teaching teenagers how to fight fires and rescue people trapped in blazing buildings. The drills at Hardley fire station are likely to be followed by similar schemes elsewhere in Hampshire.