MORE than 80 per cent of homes in Wiltshire now have smoke alarms, after a 20-year campaign by Wiltshire Fire Brigade to get the life-saving devices installed.

In 1988 just eight per cent of homes had alarms, which have this week been voted the best innovation of the last 20 years in a survey carried out on behalf of online bank Cahoot.

Rob Jackson, senior fire safety officer with the Wiltshire Fire Brigade, said: "I am delighted by the results of this recent research.

"More and more people are recognising the importance of these simple life-saving devices.

"They only cost a few pounds and can make the difference between life and death."