A WARNING regarding the use of candles has been issued after fire crews were called to a property on Portland last night.

The crews from Portland and Weymouth were alerted at around 11.40pm to an alarm sounding in a property in Pennsylvania Road.

The alarm was sounding due to a fire involving candles and a wooden table, which was extinguished prior to the firefighters' arrival.

The crews gave advice to the residents and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to stay safe and find out more about the use of candles at dwfire.org.uk/candles

Candles are one of the most common causes of house fires and advice offered on the web page includes never leave burning candles unattended, make sure they are secured in a fire resistant holder and away from furnitures and curtains and keep loose clothing and hair away from candles when they are lit.

People are also advised never to try and move a burning candle as it just increases the risk of fire.