RESIDENTS are urged to take advantage of a free and potentially life-saving electric blanket test.

Trading standards officers are offering the annual inspection next Friday (Sep 19) at Radcliffe Civic Suite.

Around half of the 400 blankets tested in recent years failed, being declared dangerous and not fit for use. A further 20 per cent had minor repairs carried out by an engineer.

Nationally, around 600 fires are caused each year by faulty blankets, most of them ten years old. As many as three million blankets that age are still in circulation.

People are asked to book appointments for Friday's session, which lasts from 9am to 4pm, on 253 5566. Alternatively, those who cannot attend can drop off their blankets on Thursday September 18 at the Trading Standards Office, Textile Hall, Manchester Road, Bury. They will be tested the following day and delivered back to their owner's address.

Angela Lomax, principal trading standards officer, said: "Minor repairs such as fuses and plugs will be dealt with by the electrician. In the event of a blanket failing and being unsuitable for use, the client will be told and the test certificate will state that it has failed.

"As in previous years, it is anticipated that there may be offers from one or two companies of "money off" a replacement blanket. If the blanket fails, trading standards staff will be happy to dispose of them.