Fire chiefs could force businesses and other organisations to cough up almost £300 a time or more if crews are called out to false alarms.

The plans, which have been approved for a one-year trial in County Durham and Darlington, would punish premises which have repeated problems with 'Unwanted Fire Signals' (UwFS).

According to County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, if the scheme had been in place in the last financial year (2017/18), costs worth £39,285 could have been clawed back.

The proposals, which will come into effect from April, were approved by the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority this morning (Friday, February 22).

Area Manager Keith Wanley said: "The purpose of introducing this is only to encourage correct use of and management of the systems.

"This is cost recovery - we're not making money from it."

The brigade was called to 751 false alarms at non-domestic premises, such as factories, offices, shops, hospitals and student accommodation in 2017/18.

This accounted for almost a tenth of all incidents attended by Durham and Darlington's firefighters that year.

Unneeded call outs cost £291 per appliance, per hour, based on crew salary costs other costs, such as fuel and wear and tear to vehicles.

Fire chiefs are banned from using such charges to make a profit, but following a change to the law in 2011 they can make efforts to recoup costs.

Bosses have insisted the purpose of the plans is to improve fire safety and have said premises would not be charged until their third false alarm within 12 months.

A report for the authority admitted the scheme could see the brigade criticised for 'penalising businesses for genuine mistakes'.

But it adds a similar trial in Northumberland had been 'positively received' and has now introduced an appeals process.