A NEW Government scheme that will benefit residents in some of Hyndburn's most deprived areas has been launched in Accrington.

The Keep Warm Keep Safe project aims to promote grants and benefits available to residents in the Central, Church, Springhill, and Barnfield wards, to improve their homes with better heating and insulation.

Other improvements available under the initiative include increased security and safety.

Residents will be contacted and visited in their own homes and asked to fill in a questionnaire that will highlight their extra heating requirements.

Every resident in the four wards will also be entitled to a free fire safety check and a free crime prevention check.

Partners in the scheme include LCC Welfare Rights, Hyndburn Borough Council, LCC Fire Service, Lancashire Constabulary, Hyndburn Citizens Advice Bureau and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust.

Representatives from the agencies joined Hyndburn's Mayor, Councillor Sandra Hayes, at the launch at the Homewise base in Whalley Road, Accrington

Heather Shaw, co-ordinator for the project, will conduct the home visits to make referrals to the various organisations involved.

She said: "As far as we are aware, this is the first project of its type in the country.

"We are taking grants and benefits to many people who are not aware that help is available and, where necessary, we approach organisations and service providers on their behalf to ensure that they receive the help they need."

The Mayor said: "This is an excellent project. It touches on different aspects --crime prevention, safety, lead piping in houses -- and there are a lot of older properties here in Hyndburn that still have lead piping.

"I always feel our elderly people are very proud and don't like asking, so this is ideal because Homewise can take the project to them and advise on many issues like benefits, heating and allowances. I wish them well."

Home visits have already started in the Central area of Accrington -- for more details call 232249.