RESIDENTS across Teesside are to be given information on what to do in an emergency.

A credit card-sized leaflet, called a Public Information Card gives important advice and contact details to enable people to cope with a wide range of emergencies, including flooding, large chemical fires or explosions, power failures, severe weather and large-scale transport accidents.

It has been produced by the Cleveland Emergency Planning Unit which works on behalf of Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Councils.

The latest card replaces one that was sent out three years ago.

Public Information Cards are currently being delivered to 240,000 homes across Teesside.

Chief emergency planning officer Denis Hampson said: "Although major emergencies are rare, it is important that we are prepared and know how to react should one occur.

"I would urge residents to ensure they have received a card and to keep it somewhere safe."

Barry Coppinger, chairman of the Cleveland Joint Emergency Planning Committee, said: "Most of us like to think we’d know what to do in an emergency, but it’s always useful to have the key information to hand."

For more information visit www.clevelandemergencyplanning.info