GIVING new safety slippers to pensioners has helped reduce the number of falls by more than half.

Residents at a County Durham care home swapped their old slippers for a new close-fitting design as part of the year-long NHS pilot scheme.

Health officials said the scheme had reduced the number of elderly people falling by a 57 per cent.

In addition to the safety benefits, there is a saving to the NHS tens of thousands of pounds.

The idea is likely to be rolled out to other parts of the UK and could become a massive cost saver for the Health Service.

Publicity about the slipper exchange scheme in June attracted hundreds of phone calls from people throughout the UK.

"It was a nightmare, we had loads of phone calls from people who thought they were entitled to free slippers on the NHS," said project manager Les Grey.

Easington Primary Care Trust was one of three PCTs in the country to pilot a number of measures designed to reduce falls in the elderly.

One of the causes of falls is known to be ill-fitting, worn slippers.

As part of the scheme, the footwear company, Nature Form, of Bacup, Lancashire, let Easington PCT have a consignment of non-slip footwear which normally retail for about £20.

Residents at the Jack Dormand Home, in Horden, were able to swap their old slippers for the Nature Form slippers.

Tristam Palmer, manager of Nature Form, said: "We have a range of slippers which are designed for older people's feet. They are wider fitting and have Velcro fastening so they can be altered throughout the day.

"This helps to stop people slipping and means the soles wear evenly."

Mr Grey said the slipper exchange was part of a wider package of measures designed to improve safety.

These included giving bags to the over-65s containing nightlights and anti-slip bathroom mats.

The Easington project was so successful that a team from east Durham was invited to a ceremony in London after being shortlisted for an award from the Department of Health.

For more information about Nature Form slippers telephone 0800 5875658 or visit the website www.natureform. co.uk