At this time of year stores tend to have much more stock, increasing the amount of flammable material.

Along with extra displays it often means fire exits can be blocked.

Now simple advice is being offered to cut down the risk of fires starting or small fires becoming major problems.

Area Manager for the Derbyshire Fire Service, John Stoddard, said: "One thing we would ask them to do is have some waste material management system.

"It needs to be moved away on a daily basis to prevent it building up.

"Also if it can be placed in a metal skip some way from the premises so is there is an arson attack it is confined to the skip."