Firefighters in Oxfordshire extinguished their cigarettes today to support national No Smoking Day and help reduce fires.

Members of Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service gathered at Kidlington Fire Station to support each other in stubbing out their cigarettes for 24 hours.

Station manager Julian Green said: "Smoking not only can damage your health, but can pose a huge fire risk."

Firefighter Will Savage, who is based at Oxford's Rewley Road Fire Station, pledged to kick the habit for good after smoking for 10 years. He said: "It's been a tough day but I've made it through okay and I'm determined to keep it going.

"I have a young daughter now and I want to make sure I stay healthy for her and the rest of my family. It's easy to forget that pipes and cigarettes are the cause of so many house fires, and as a firefighter, I have seen the damage that can be done. There are so many good reasons to give up, and I wish everyone who has pledged to quit the very best of luck."

Oxfordshire Fire Service offers a free home fire safety check. Call 08000 325999.