offer to detect deadly gas HOUSEHOLDERS across East Lancashire are being offered free tests in a bid to find traces of the potential lethal gas radon.

The Government is sending 2,691 invitations to homes across the county as part of a national initiative.

Environment Minister Angela Eagle, has confirmed the new Labour administration will carry on with the programme of testing originally introduced by the Conservative Government.

Radon is a natural gas which is believed to be the second highest cause of lung cancer in the country. The gas, which is found in rocks and soil, disappears quickly in the open air but can accumulate in buildings.

It can be affected by the level of uranium in the ground and can also spread to adjacent buildings.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Angela Eagle said: "The Government is concerned by the threat posed to health by high concentrations of radon gas in homes. We therefore propose to complete the two year programme initiated by the previous Government."

She added: "When we have the data generated by this programme we will be able to consider, with local authorities, the best way to deal with this problem on a local basis."

The invitations for free testing will be sent out to 178,000 homes across England in the autumn. Areas known to have particularly high levels of the gas are being targeted by the Department of the Environment.

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