Householders in Wiltshire can get their Christmas lights tested for free this week.

Wiltshire Council has teamed up with Wheeler’s (Westbury) Ltd and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service to offer people the chance to have their indoor and outdoor festive lights tested for safety.

The sessions, each running from 10am to 4pm, will be held at Chippenham Fire Station, Dallas Road today, and Devizes Fire Station, Southbroom Road on Friday. There is also a session at Salisbury Fire Station, Ashley Road on Wednesday, November 28.

Information and advice will also be available on buying, displaying and storing lights in a safe way. Improper storage of old lights can cause them to become unsafe, which in turn, can lead to house fires.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service will also be on hand to offer free general) home fire safety advice.

Watch Manager Neil Chamberlain, from the community safety department, said: “This is an ideal opportunity to get your Christmas lights checked and find out more about keeping your family safe. In many cases, we can even arrange to make a home fire safety visit.”

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for public protection, Keith Humphries, added: “With the increasing popularity of decorating the outside of our homes it’s more important than ever for people to make sure their indoor and outdoor lights are safe to continue to use.

“I hope people make use of this free service so they have peace of mind at this special time of year.”