COUNCIL homes in areas with a high fire risk are to have mains-linked smoke detectors installed. The Higher Folds estate in Leigh is one of the areas with the highest rates of fires per property in the region.

All council properties are fitted with smoke detectors, but few are "mains-linked", which means they are plugged in, are difficult to switch off and have battery back-up in case of power failure.

Greater Manchester Fire Service says only 20 per cent of council homes which have been hit by fires had a working alarm. At the rest, the batteries were missing or flat. The fire service will work with tenants, residents' associations and schools in Higher Folds to raise awareness of fire safety in the home.

Leigh housing board member Fred Walker said: "All council properties will eventually receive mains-powered smoke alarms as part of the new re-wiring programme."

Installing mains-powered smoke alarms will improve chances of escaping."

, who is chairman of the local fire authority,