CHORLEY old folk are set to benefit from a novel town hall scheme to replace old smoke alarms in the borough.

Housing chiefs are due to meet soon to rubber stamp a proposal to install new alarms for all council tenants in Chorley.

The alarms, to be fitted over a three-year period, have a sealed battery with a ten year life span.

The scheme also involves passing the old units on to the aged, infirm and vulnerable, free of charge, as a potentially life-saving early warning system.

Housing committee chairman Coun Barry Hodgson is keen to introduce the initiative as part of Chorley's recycling campaign.

Coun Hodgson said: "Initially, we were looking to replace the existing alarms with a more robust system but that would have cost in the region of £100 per house.

"By adopting these new units it will cost just £20 each and spread over three years we can complete the programme. We believe these new sealed smoke alarms provide the best possible safety to our tenants and protect our investment in the properties.

"However, it would be a pity to simply throw away the older types which could still be used by others. If by recycling our surplus smoke alarms and giving them away for free it helps to save just one life, the whole exercise will have been worthwhile."

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