A method and device is provided wherein a reinforcement is provided for one or more optical fibres. One or more fibres are inserted into a sleeve made of a material that is substantially the same as the material of the cladding of the one or more optical fibres. The bore of the sleeve is sized to accommodate the one or more optical fibers; After the one or more optical fibres is inserted into the sleeve sufficient heat is applied to the sleeve for a duration to collapse the sleeve onto the one or more optical fibres. Preferably, the sleeve is a glass pre-form consisting substantially of 90% or greater silica.
