THOUSANDS of pensioners and disabled people are to have their homes protected from the threat of burglars thanks to a new initiative.

Blackburn Council has joined forces with British Gas and local police to provide around 13,000 door chains and eye viewers for vulnerable people in the borough.

The Be Safe, Be Sure campaign is due to be launched by the Mayor of Blackburn, Coun Mary Leaver, in the town hall on June 4. The security measures have been provided thanks to a £6,750 donation from British Gas.

Neighbourhood Watch schemes throughout the area will be asked to nominate people who need help.

And the improvements will be made to their homes through the Care and Repair Agency, part of the housing department which helps elderly and disabled people remain in their own homes.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.