PEACEFUL nights are in store for many Wyre Forest folk after 147 electric blankets were tested for safety.

However, Worcestershire Trading Standards have issued a warning after 69 per cent of those tested in Stourport and 63 per cent of those in Kidderminster failed the tests.

For the third year, a partnership of Trading Standards, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire Age Concern, Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade and Gloucester Home Care offered the free sessions at Kidderminster Fire Station and Stourport Community Centre.

Trading standards officer John Benjamin said: "We are amazed that the failure rate of blankets submitted is still over 65 per cent.

"Many blankets were found to be well over 10 years old and several were found to be in a dangerous condition, which could have caused injury to the user if they had not had them tested.

"Failed blankets have been donated by the owners to various animal sanctuaries for bedding."

Wyre Forest District Council project manager Jenni Lord said: "It is important that people have their electric underblankets checked frequently and are aware that old or damaged ones can be a safety risk."