YOUNG people and their relationship with fire is an issue being tackled by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) as part of its new Youth Engagement Strategy.

The national Children and Young People strategy makes combating anti-social behaviour and reducing the risk faced by vulnerable youngsters a mainstream fire and rescue priority for the first time.

The strategy has been launched by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

HFRS has put the final touches to its own three-year Youth Engagement Strategy in support of this initiative, which was released at the end of last month.

And firefighters at Basingstoke fire station have been working hard with the town branch of the Young Fire-fighters Association carrying out drills and activities to develop teamwork, leadership and foster a sense of adventure.

The youngsters have just received a brand-new set of kit to help them look and feel the part when carrying out their exercises at the fire station.

Firefighter Richard Oram, who runs the weekly session at Basingstoke fire station, said: "This uniform gives the members a sense of pride and looks a lot more like our actual kit. The main aim of our work is to relay the fire safety message and get youngsters involved in spreading the word."

There are currently about 20 association members - both boys and girls - from a variety of schools in the area.