ELDERLY and vulnerable people across Blackpool are to get a new weapon in the fight against bogus callers.

Age Concern in Cookson Street, Blackpool, is boxing clever with a new device called the memo minder -- a little box fixed on the wall in a hallway or by the front door which is triggered by a person walking past it.

A recorded voice then reminds the resident to put the chain on before opening the door.

Andrew Stones of Age Concern explained: "The security system from In Touch highlighted in last week's Citizen campaign is an excellent idea, but at £365 it is out of our budget and the budget of most elderly people in the area.

"But this new memo minder is a great little device and only costs £15. It's a new step from the Home Office as part of the Stop, Check, Chain initiative and we are hoping to install them in homes across Blackpool from April.

"The memo minder is a small electrical gadget that fits on the wall and every time the resident walks past it a voice is triggered that reminds them to Stop, Check and Chain. The voice can be someone from Age Concern or even a relative.

"This way the elderly and vulnerable are being trained to look after themselves.

"The only thing is that the device is battery operated so we may need to look at a reminder to change the batteries etc.

"Agencies such as ours are being given the minders as part of a kit which also includes leaflets and door stickers and an information video starring Annette Crosbie from One Foot In The Grave which offers simple and useful advice to stop bogus callers.

"We can make lots of copies of the video and anyone can borrow it.

"We will also be continuing to upgrade front door locks, and fit spy hole viewers, door bolts and chains."

Age Concern in Blackpool is also a partner in the Burglary Reduction Working Group which meets with police and other agencies to tackle the reduction of distraction burglary across Lancashire.

Andrew added: "Only about one in ten of distracted burglaries -- which means a burglary taking place while the resident is being distracted by something else or someone -- are actually reported through fear or embarrassment.

"So that means nine other elderly and vulnerable people are victims and we don't know about it and the numbers reported don't even begin to reflect the real problem."

If anyone wishes to view the video or would like more information on the memo minder, call Age Concern on (01253) 751747.

Andrew is also secretary of the Lancashire Neighbourhood Watch group and if anyone has any issues they would like him to address call him on (01253) 318217 or email stones@cableinet.co.uk.