A COMMUNITY team has improved pensioners' safety by donating 78 night lights.

An initiative in the Blackhall area of Easington, which is aimed at reducing falls among the elderly, has bought the devices for residents of the Primrose Court housing complex.

They plug into sockets in bedrooms or hallways and come on at night, helping to prevent falls when people get up during the night.

The introduction of the lights comes after Easington was chosen as one of only three areas in the country to pilot the new Healthy Communities Collaborative programme, aimed at reducing falls among the elderly by 30 per cent.

It began in September and will run for a year.

The Blackhall team has already asked 160 people to complete a questionnaire about the number of falls they have had, what causes them and what could be done to help prevent them.

It received funding to conduct the survey but decided to use the money for the night lights instead.

Project manager Les Grey, from Easington Primary Care Trust, said: "The success of the Healthy Communities Collaborative is dependent on local people leading the collaborative work within their own communities.

"The Blackhall team have made an excellent start in developing the project and the night lights will help make homes of local elderly residents safer in the future."

For more details on the scheme, ring Mr Grey on 0191-586 6681.