MANY homes in Basildon are to be made safer thanks to funding from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service towards the installation of sprinkler systems throughout seven housing estates in the borough.

Since 2013, the fire service has part-funded and supported the retrofitting of sprinklers in a number of high risk premises in Essex. And the latest match-funding project has been agreed for sprinklers to be installed at all properties in the seven housing estates in the Felmores area.

Basildon Council have been awarded £70,000 from the fire service's sprinkler fund to match-fund their projects.

Area Manager Jim Palmer from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "It's fantastic that Basildon Council are taking on this large project to fit sprinklers in every home in seven of their housing estates, and we're pleased that with our help their residents will have the best fire protection equipment available.

"Sprinklers are a reliable and cost-effective way of stopping fires from growing and spreading. In most cases, they actually put them out completely."

Director of Housing and Property at Basildon Council Lesley O'Shea said: "We are delighted to have received £70,000 funding from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for our sprinkler project on the Felmores estate. I would like to thank them for this contribution which will help improve fire safety on the estate."