FIRE officers will be visiting heritage buildings in Okehampton and North Tawton, conducting simple fire safety checks to ensure that fire and safety precautions are up to date.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue are visiting more than 30 Grade I listed buildings across the two counties, which include churches throughout the area. The checks are being carried out to help safeguard such significant buildings and ensure their survival.

Group commander Andy Revesz said: 'This activity is being carried out to ensure the safety of the public, assist in the preservation of our heritage buildings and to gather information to assist with operational firefighting and the generation of salvage plans.

'Older buildings have unique features such as hidden voids and cavities where fire can easily travel undetected.

'We therefore advise that a full set of records, drawings, photos and other information is stored and is made available to us for use in any building in the event of a fire, and which would contribute to forming the basis of how the service will deal with each building in the event of a fire.'

The fire service will aim to recommend protective measures that are sympathetic to the historic fabric of the particular listed building.