AN electric blanket safety scheme halted due to a lack of Government funds has been revived in Kidderminster, thanks to a local campaigner.

Anthony Goldsmith, divisional secretary for SSAFA Forces Help Kidderminster, a charity that supports serving and ex-servicemen and women and their families, has campaigned to raise the £2,500 needed to restart the scheme.

Thanks to his dedication, local residents will be able to take their electric blankets to Kidderminster Fire Station between 10am and 4pm on November 2, 3 and 4, to be tested free of charge.

Organisations that have donated money, including Trading Standards, Kidderminster Fire Station, Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest Community Housing and Sure Start, will be there on the day to answer questions about home safety.

Age Concern, the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Department for Work and Pensions, Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest NHS PCT and SSAFA Forces Help will also be available to offer advice about anything from staying healthy to tax and benefit entitlements.

The safety scheme, which Mr Goldsmith, of Mallard Avenue, described as "very important", was originally set up after research showed up to 60 per cent of electric blankets were faulty and posed a fire hazard, particularly for vulnerable, old people.

Three years ago, however, a lack of Government funds meant it was unable to continue to offer the service.

"It's a real shame that this testing has not been done properly for the last few years," said Mr Goldsmith, 67, who served in the King's African Rifles.

"We were happy to parade ex-servicemen and women and call them heroes when we marked the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings last year but we don't really give any consideration to those that desperately need help now.

"They had to get on with their lives after the war, often without asking for anything, but when they need help they can't get it."

He added: "Warmth is a very important part of health care for the elderly."

Although SSAFA Forces Help has organised the event, Mr Goldsmith stressed that anyone could bring an electric blanket to be tested. Replacement blankets will be on sale, priced at £16 for a single blanket and £22 for a double.

With demand for the event likely to be high, Mr Goldsmith suggested people dropped blankets in to be tested before looking around the stalls or going shopping.

He added he hoped the event could be held annually from now on.

"We can do it if all the local welfare organisations pull together," he said.