THOUSANDS of free gadgets are on offer to help make sure an emergency phone call is always just a twist away.

Telecommunications giant Orange has come up with a wind-up mobile phone charger aimed at ensuring a caller will always have enough battery power to make a vital call.

The company has donated 3,000 of the chargers to Northumbria Police, who will be handing them out for free.

PC Joe Bradley, Sunderland City crime prevention officer, said: "Imagine being in an emergency situation and reaching for your mobile phone and realising at the crucial moment the battery is flat. It's a frustrating position.

"However, these pocket size chargers are compatible with most phones. They have a small generator inside and once wound up could give you crucial minutes to make that call."

Orange came up with the gadget after a survey by ICM revealed that 42 per cent of mobile phone users in the UK found they were unable to make a vital call after their car broke down.

Another 28 per cent said they had run out of battery when they needed to call for medical assistance.

PC Bradley will be setting up a crime prevention stall at the Bridges shopping centre, in Sunderland, tomorrow and Friday, from 10am to 2pm.

He will be handing out 1,500 chargers each day on a first-come, first-served basis.

He said: "This is a really useful item to have, particularly in terms of crime prevention. You never know when it might come in handy.

"It's small enough to be held in the palm of your hand and fits nicely into pockets and handbags.

"I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and get one while we have them available."

There is also a limited number of chargers available from the Orange shop in Sunderland.