The fire service has launched a new weapon in its battle against arson.

A two-man team, known as the Arson Action Team, will visit small businesses in Cumbria offering an arson audit of the premises and providing an arson information package.

Team members Bill Barnes from Workington and Roger Smith from Barrow hope to raise awareness and provide information on crime and prevention and fire safety risk assessment.

The project has been developed in conjunction with Cumbria Police and funded by the Government's arson control forum.

The team also offers ultra violet marking of valuables with the premises' postcode.

Cumbria Fire Service's senior divisional officer Bernie Ewels said he hoped the new approach would cut down on some of the 300 arson attacks which take place in the UK every day.

Anyone wanting an arson audit should contact the Fire Safety Administrator on 01900-820254.