District firefighters are backing a campaign for water sprinklers to be installed in homes and schools.

The campaign, led by the Local Government Association, is calling for changes in the law to ensure that sprinklers are installed in bedsits and new school buildings.

The call comes after seven people died in fires in Bradford last year.

Richard Hagger, assistant divisional officer for West Yorkshire's community fire safety team, said: "We are advocating getting sprinklers installed in buildings because they attack a fire in its early stages which can significantly reduce the amount of damage caused.

"I have known instances where sprinklers have extinguished fires even before the smoke detectors have gone off."

The LGA is now lobbying the Government to incorporate the automatic installation of sprinklers into two new pieces of legislation. An amendment to the new Housing Bill, currently being considered, would make it compulsory for sprinklers to be fitted in high risk bedsits and houses in multiple occupation, where it is claimed 35 per cent of all fire deaths occur.

And with more than 2,000 schools nationwide damaged by fire each year, the LGA is also calling for sprinkler systems to be installed in all new schools built.

Mr Hagger added: "We would like to see sprinklers made part of building regulations. It might be expensive but how much can you put on a life?"

Even without Government legislation, West Yorkshire Fire Service is looking at buying sprinklers to fit in the homes of the vulnerable.