HOUSE fires across Dorset have increased in the last 12 months, new figures have revealed.

The number of fires so far this year in West Dorset has increased from 19 in 2004/2005 to 34, and in Weymouth and Portland from 15 in 2004/2005 to 20 so far this year.

And the report to a meeting of Dorset Fire Authority's audit committee reveals that the majority of fires are caused by cooking.

Now fire chiefs have embarked on a programme to reduce the number of fires in the county and they say education is crucial if they are to tackle the problem.

The report to the meeting today by chief fire officer Martin Chapman said: "The number of dwelling fires is small in comparison with the total number of incidents that the service attends, but we should not underestimate the devastating effect that fire has in people's lives.

"The authority now has a statutory duty to educate the public on the dangers of fire and the service regards this as a significant function."

Mr Chapman said that the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service was involved in a number of initiatives to cut the number of fires.

He said a series of press releases had already been published this year offering advice on candle safety and kitchen safety, as well as one in which householders were urged to change their cooking habits. He said the service continued to offer home fire safety checks and had extended its scheme to install smoke alarms - from April 1 to September 30 a total of 1,944 home fire safety checks had been carried out.

The chip pan demonstration unit continued to tour the county and special courses had been run for care workers. The service was also working with the police and housing associations to spread the fire safety message, said the report. "The preventative activities carried out by the service are varied and will be increased," said Mr Chapman.

"Whilst the statistics show no specific locality to target at this time, over the coming months these incidents will continue to be monitored so the service can continue to react to any specific hot spot areas whilst also carrying out its proactive work."