Dozens of elderly people are failing to wear push-button alarm sets they are given to call for help in emergencies.

A survey published yesterday showed that out of 417 senior citizens supplied with them in Teesdale and Weardale, Co Durham, 18 per cent do not carry them regularly.

They are supposed to wear them on pendants so that if they have an accident or sudden illness anywhere in their home or garden they can push the button and assistance will be sent.

The project run by the Dales Community Alarm Trust in Barnard Castle has come to the rescue of many pensioners in remote parts of the area since it was launched 15 years ago.

But Margaret Humble, the senior co-ordinator, said yesterday that there had been several cases of clients needing help but unable to get it because they could not reach their pendants.

She added: "Our survey showed that just over 81 per cent of clients wore their pendants regularly, and this is not good enough. I must appeal to them to wear them at all times."

In the past year 295 calls have come from the set, 101 of them from elderly people who had fallen. Of these 85 were helped on the spot and 16 taken to hospital. Another 45 had health problems and 16 were taken to hospital.

Mrs Humble added: "Some people just forget to wear their pendants. Others say they don't like wearing them all the time because it robs them of independence.

But the alarm project actually gives them independence and helps them to stay at home when they might otherwise have to go into care."

The clients' ages range from 60 to 96, with the highest number in the 80 to 89 bracket.

Details of the year's work will be given at the trust's annual meeting in Barnard Castle Methodist Church on Thursday November 3 at 2pm. Anyone interested in the scheme will be welcome.