PENSIONERS in east Cleveland are being given personal attack alarms by the local authority.

The scheme is part of a borough wide initiative, organised by Coun Dave McLuckie, lead member for community safety with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

He explained: "These alarms are making pensioners feel much safer on the streets and in their homes. The response has been phenomenal. By the end of the summer, I hope to have handed out alarms in every one of the borough's 22 wards."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's mayor, Coun Vilma Collins, and her two Dormanstown ward colleagues, councillors Peter Todd and Cliff Houlding, this week distributed the alarms to people at Park Court and Severn Road community centres.

Coun Collins said: "I'm sure they're going to be well received."