HAMPSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service has become the first in the country to sign an agreement with the National Trust that will safeguard the county's heritage.

It will see the fire service paying closer attention to historic buildings, training staff in fire prevention, the installation of more signs, and items such as firelights and smoke detectors. National Trust properties in Hampshire include Winchester City Mill and Mottisfont Abbey, where the agreement was signed.

Steve Hamm,of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We will be visiting buildings, assessing them, and looking at ways of making them safer."