Revellers are encouraged to buy a meal instead of cooking

A new campaign warns that men aged between 16 and 25 are at risk of starting house fires by trying to cook after a night at the pub.

Cornwall Fire Brigade said alcohol made people drowsy and they were more likely to leave cooking unattended.

The initiative is part of a national campaign warning the public about fire safety in the kitchen.

A campaign poster reads: "Are you dying for something to eat? Get a takeaway - don't get taken away."

The posters are to be distributed in pubs, clubs, takeaways and taxi firms across the county.

Richard Gibbons, community fire safety officer, said: "Young people go out for the evening and they are relaxed.

"And of course when they are relaxed their guard drops.

"They come home, decide that they are going to have something to eat and the next thing they fall asleep on the settee, a fire occurs and they die."

'Horror stories'

He added: "The fires are usually very intense and it's putting firefighters' lives at risk too."

Justin Barnett, manager of Bunter's Bar in Truro, is backing the campaign.

He said: "We get several hundred people through here on a Saturday night and we want to ensure that they have a good night out, but that they also go home and be safe.

"I have heard several horror stories relating to chip pans or grills that have started fires after people have gone to sleep."