A Church scheme to distribute Millennium candles has been criticised by a Bradford fire safety officer.

Several thousand candles have been ordered from congregations in the diocese, which in turn will be given to each household in the parish.

But community fire safety officer Jack Womersley says he is worried it could lead to a wave of house fires.

"We are very concerned. About six to eight months ago people were asked to light a candle in remembrance of someone and it led to two incidents in Bradford."

He added: "No one wants to see in the Millennium by burning their house down."

Mr Womersley said he would be speaking to the Bradford Diocese to make sure safety advice about using candles goes out at the same time.

He said many people are not used to lighting candles and have, in recent years, ended up melting plastic baths and setting fire to curtains.

The C of E's Millennium Commercial Manager, Bob Chandler, told the Telegraph & Argus: "The idea is that churches are going out to where the people are.

"They may be in the theatre or at a public house - we want people to light them wherever they are."

He said advice had been taken from fire safety officers and meetings had been held with the Home Office about the candles which came with advice and a special fire-proof plastic holder.

Several orders have gone to the Church of England from congregations in Bradford for the £150 boxes of 500 candles, each 2ins high.

The national scheme intends to distribute them so there can be a mass lighting just before midnight on New Year's Eve and a special resolution be read out during the 'Millennium Moment'.

Bradford Diocese's Millennium officer, Helen Agarwal, said that while some were enthusiastic others felt the price was a bit steep.

"Some parishes felt there were better things you can spend your money on and said they would get candles from Ikea instead."

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