A £1.4 million project was launched today to reduce fires in the Bradford district's worsed arson blackspot.

More than 90 per cent of the 400 fires in the Barkerend and Leeds Road area of Bradford were caused deliberately last year and the project will raise awareness of the risks to health and safety.

The scheme is aimed at building up relationships with teachers, pupils and youths as part of a big fire reduction education programme. Businesses will be advised on how to avoid becoming victims and there will be visits to thousands of families.

West Yorkshire fire fighter Steve Fealey has been appointed to spearhead the campaign to reduce both deliberate and accidental fires in the area. It is being implemented under the Regen 2000 scheme.

Regen 2000 is breathing new life into the deprived streets with the help of a £28.5 million grant from the Government's single regeneration budget.

Regen 2000 is giving more than £400,000 to fund the scheme and West Yorkshire Fire Service has made a £1 million contribution.

Mr Fealey, who is station officer overseeing community fire safety in the Regen 2000 district and is based at Bradford's Nelson Street Fire Station, said three outreach workers had been taken on. They would visit all the homes in the area and would be out over the next few weeks offering free home risk assessments and fire prevention advice.

The project also aims to reduce fires involving abandoned cars as well as blazes on rubbish tips, derelict buildings and open spaces.

Mr Fealey said he would probably set up a mock house and ask pupils what they would do in a fire.

"It means they get the chance to think about it and hopefully discuss it with their parents afterwards.

"For example it can take just 30 seconds for thick smoke to make someone unconscious. Youngsters are shown that in the event of a fire they should stay as low to the floor as possible. We also stress preparing an escape route."