A MAJOR initiative to tackle the dramatic rise in house fires in Redditch is to be extended for two more months following its huge success.

Firefighters launched the New Home, Safe Home project in February after it was revealed there were 135 house fires in the town during 2001 compared to 95 the year before.

The campaign saw fire crews link up with town estate agents to provide information packs, smoke detectors and fire safety checks to all new home owners.

The project was due to finish more than two weeks ago after more than 500 information packs were handed out.