A message that people must ensure their elderly family members must be prepared for a fire in their home.

A blaze at a council flat in Amberley on Sunday morning claimed the life of an 80-year-old man.

It follows a house fire in Cheviot in July, that claimed the life of 86-year-old Raymond Burnett.

Both properties had working smoke alarms.

Fire Service spokesman Ian Duncan said issues that specifically affect older people mean they need to be ready for a possible blaze.

"We do lose our senses such as hearing and sight, also have a reduction in mobility. It makes it more and more important to have working smoke alarms and have a practiced escape plan."