Get on your bike for fire safety

ARSONISTS will be targeted in a campaign to cut deliberate fires in Oldham.

Great Places Housing Group and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have teamed up for the launch.

They are looking for volunteers to join the fire service’s Community Action Team and ride around the town on bicycles spotting likely arson targets, talking to people about fire safety and staging clean-ups and charity events.

Project leaders believe the scheme will be a great way to meet people, get involved and learn new skills that could lead to jobs.

Selection screenings will be held at Chadderton Fire Station in Broadway on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, September 23, 24 and 25.

Anyone who is interested should collect an application form from the MMHA office at 119 Union Street, Oldham, or from Chadderton Fire Station.

Volunteers should be over 18 and from any walk of life.

They must be happy to commit 16 hours of their time every month and will get full training, a uniform and use of a fire service bike.

The Gremlins Cycle Centre, at the Meridian Business Centre in Oldham, will oversee cycle maintenance for the scheme.

Great Places’ community initiatives manager Daniel Mountford is taking applications from would-be participants.

He said: “This will be a really fun way for local people to get involved in making a difference in their community. We’re really looking forward to getting started.”