VOLUNTEERS are needed to help take part in an innovative project that will help people stay safe against fire.

The Hour Community scheme has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in Framlingham at the end of last year.

It has been spearheaded by the town’s rotary club and volunteers are encouraged to give up their time to help people with tasks including shopping, decorating or gardening.

As part of the project members have linked up with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and raised �2,400 to purchase smoke detectors and “fire safety in the home” packs for residents.

However volunteers are now needed to help install the vital pieces of equipment.

Anyone who is interested will receive the proper training from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.

Nick Corke, president of the Rotary Club of Framlingham, said: “The response to Hour Community has been absolutely amazing.

“We are rapidly approaching 700 hours of community work which is incredible.

“As part of the initiative we have grown very concerned by the number of people who have maybe lived in their homes for 50 or 60 years but have no form of smoke detector whatsoever.

“As a result we have linked up with the fire service to provide the equipment and advice. We now just need a few volunteers who are willing to be trained to help install them.”

Mr Corke said a number of other volunteering initiatives were soon to be launched as part of Hour Community.

He said they soon hoped to be helping out at the Mills Meadow residential home as well as starting a street cleaning project.

Mr Corke said a special “thank you” had to go to students at Framlingham College who had so far given up more than 500 hours of their time between November last year and the summer holidays.

He urged anyone who was interested in finding out more about the fire safety project to contact him on 07860 673700.

A training session has been arranged with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, at Framlingham Fire Station in Saxmundham Road, on Thursday, September 27 at 6.30pm.