TEESDALE has been chosen to pilot an innovative scheme to help elderly residents stay at home, rather than be taken into care.

Durham County Council social services department is trying out smart sensors on 14 pensioners in the hope of improving their lives.

They will receive:

l Fall detectors which automatically send an alarm to a control centre, without pressing a button.

l Heat extremes sensors which will monitor clients at risk of hypothermia, high temperatures or fires and cooker rings left on.

l Bed sensors, which are activated when the person gets out and if he or she has not returned within a pre-set time, an alarm will sound.

l An automatic door opener allows the client to monitor visitors on a television screen, speak to them and open the door remotely.

l Door digital cameras to photograph possible bogus callers.

l Midas systems which can detect emergency situations and predict and prevent falls.

Coun John Richardson, who launched the project in Barnard Castle yesterday, said; "The potential that modern technology has for improving quality of life among elderly people is enormous. The pilot project will give the council a better understanding of how it can be adapted to best serve most in need."

The year-long pilot is a partnership between the county council, Durham community alarm trust, Sedgefield Borough Council and Technology in Healthcare.

It is will be developed countywide if it is successful.