STRICKEN pensioners, who were left without their emergency alarms, have been given a helping hand by Bromsgrove District Council.

The council offered the lifeline after reading in the Advertiser/Messenger about residents of the 57 flats at Housman Park having no alarms for six weeks after lightning struck.

Normally, the alarms would provide 24-hour assurance for the residents that someone will come and check on them if they fall or have an accident.

Somerset Redstone Trust, which owns the Stratford Road apartments, contacted the council asking for help.

The council's technical services manager, Tim Hawkesworth, said: "We were delighted to be able to help out and can assure residents that their calls will be answered straightaway.

"All our operators are fully trained and on receipt of a call take immediate action to respond to any type of emergency, any time of day or night."

After being approached by the company, who had initially been quoted £25,000 for the work, the council was able to install a system at a vastly reduced rate within a few days.

"This is the fifth partnership set up between a private sector organisation and the council to provide a community alarm service," added Mr Hawkesworth.

The council has operated its own lifeline system since 1999 and is working with around 1,700 residents throughout the district.

It is available to anyone considered to be 'vulnerable' - including the elderly and disabled.

Anyone wanting to know more about the scheme should contact Julia or Victoria at the council house, Bromsgrove, on 01527 881375.