TENANTS are set to receive a festive gift - free smoke alarms.

Bosses at Dorchester based Magna Housing Association are offering the potential lifesavers to its tenants in a bid to cut the number of fires over the Christmas season.

The organisation is offering two battery- operated alarms to each Magna household free of charge, although installation and maintenance is the responsibility of tenants.

Magna's Mark Allan, head of technical services, initiated the scheme in a bid to reduce the number of festive fires.

He said: "This time of year sadly sees an increase in fires in the home.

"Christmas lights left on unattended, faulty lights, overloaded sockets or festive candles are often the cause of fires over the festive season.

"Most fires occur at night and it's often the case that the real killer is smoke.

"The Government runs campaigns on a regular basis raising awareness of fire prevention issues and we want to do our bit by offering free smoke alarms to our tenants."

Mr Allan said alarms will be available from January 4 next year.

"We felt that it would help some of our tenants by giving away these lifesaving alarms." he said.

To request an alarm, Magna tenants should visit Hollands House, Poundbury Road, Dorchester, showing proof of tenancy.

Alternatively contact Magna's Technical Services department on 01305 214052.

The organisation says in some cases it may be possible to arrange delivery.