PENSIONERS across the borough of Pendle are being offered the chance to receive a free mechanism which could help save the emergency services vital minutes if they are called to their houses.

The Data Link project, which is run by the Lancashire Neighbourhood Watch Scheme Association, has been carried out in other parts of the county and has finally come to Pendle.

It involves people keeping their personal details, such as name, next of kin, name of doctor and current medication, in a small canister.

Two stickers, which inform the emergency services the information is available, are placed on the outside of their fridge and behind their front door.

A limited supply of canisters are available free of charge from the borough's town halls, council offices, police stations, Nelson Health Centre and Barrowford Library.