PRAISE was given yesterday to volunteers who run a push-button alarm service, enabling elderly people living alone to call for help if they are in trouble.

The call devices are worn by 412 pensioners who live in remote parts of Teesdale and Weardale.

More than 200 emergency calls have been made from them in the past 12 months.

A report issued yesterday showed that most of the calls were from pensioners who suffered falls or suddenly felt ill.

Without the service they might not have got they help they needed for hours.

The service is run by the Durham Community Alarm Trust from Claire House, Barnard Castle. When it receives a call it sends a volunteer to the house to make a check before a doctor or ambulance is called.

George Longthorn, commissioning manager for Durham County Council's social services, said it was an excellent example of how people in remote areas could benefit from this type of service.

He said it meant many elderly people could go on living in their homes, knowing they would get speedy help when it was necessary, instead of going into hospital or a care home.

The trust, whose patron is Lady Davina Barnard, will be given other reports about the year's work at its annual meeting in Barnard Castle Methodist Church on Thursday, November 6, at 2pm.