THE Citizen's campaign to help elderly Fylde folk combat bogus callers this week highlights a service offered to older people to increase security in their homes.

The service, provided by charity Age Concern, gives information, advice and some grants to fit home security devices including additional locks, door chains and security lighting.

People living in the four inner wards of Blackpool -- Claremont, Talbot, Foxhall and Alexandra -- are eligible for grants that enable them to have these security measures supplied and fitted free of charge.

And for those outside the four wards, Age Concern offers a care and repair service to allow handymen to come and fit locks and chains, or can provide people with reputable tradesmen. The charity also offers home and contents insurance to over 55s.

Andrew Stones, home security manager for Age Concern, said the charity keeps a directory of reputable tradesmen.

"That's one way to beat the bogus tradesmen. It avoids people accepting offers of work from cold callers," he said.

Mr Stones said that in the past bogus callers had even pretended to be from Age Concern. One thief told a 92-year-old lady that he was a gardener from the charity.

"But we never, ever, send people cold calling on people's doors. If anybody comes purporting to be from Age Concern and haven't made a prior appointment then they are false. If this happens to an elderly person they should call the police," he said.

The home security service service is based at Age Concern's Home Security Advice Centre on 24 Cookson Street in Blackpool.

The drop-in centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm with a half-hour closure for lunch between 1 and 1.30pm. The centre closes at 1pm on Fridays. People can also contact the centre by phone on 751747 or freephone (0800) 917 2376.

But thieves were still targeting elderly Fylde people with bogus calls at their homes this week.

Police were appealing for anyone who might have had a caller to contact them on 293933.

Remember to take the steps outlined in the Citizen's campaign to help vulnerable Fylde folk combat thieves posing as genuine callers.

If in doubt about a caller, go through the Stop, Chain, Check routine.