A PROJECT to reduce falls among elderly people has reached the finals of national awards.

Last September, Easington was chosen as one of three pilot areas for the Healthy Communities Collaborative programme, which is aimed at reducing the number of falls by 30 per cent over 12 months.

In the five participating villages in the Eastington area, the number is down by 47 per cent.

Now the project has been selected as a finalist in the older people's category of the Department of Health's Health and Social Care Awards 2003, to be held on July 1.

Les Grey, project facilitator for Easington Primary Care Trust, said: "By preventing falls and making homes safer, the programme is helping older people to lead more active, independent lives."

Dr Roger Bolas, chief executive of the trust, said: "I am particularly proud of the way in which the local community has taken the area of falls on board as a priority."

For details of the scheme, which runs in Horden, Easington, Blackhall, Thornley and Wheatley Hill, call 0191-587 4800.