A SCHEME that could offer a lifeline to thousands of elderly and vulnerable people throughout the area is to be extended.

The Message In A Bottle initiative encourages people to keep a small container, including vital personal information, in their fridge - telling the emergency services everything they need to know in the event of an accident.

Details of any medication or special needs, contact numbers for relatives or carers, and any other relevant information is stored in the container.

A pilot Message In A Bottle scheme was launched last year, and saw more than 10,000 containers distributed to people across the borough.

The one-year project was pioneered by Age Concern, Darlington Borough Council, Soroptimist International, Darlington Primary Care Trust, Growing Older Living in Darlington (Gold) and all three emergency services.

Now, organisers have confirmed that funding has been secured to allow the scheme to continue indefinitely.

As a result, Message In A Bottle will be re-launched in April and it is hoped that as many people as possible take advantage.

Containers will be available from a number of places, including Age Concern Darlington, Gold, doctors' surgeries, chemists and other locations.