AN URGENT package of personal protective equipment (PPE) has arrived in Lancashire and is being sent to social care services across the county, the Lancashire Resilience Forum (LRF) has confirmed.

The group has taken delivery of 55 pallets of equipment including aprons, gloves, masks and eye protection.

The kit is being distributed to areas of greatest need, such as adult social care providers.

Funding for the new supply came from Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council.

The group confirmed further deliveries of equipment are expected in the future, in addition to PPE supplies being distributed by central government.

Kieran Keane, chief executive of Lancaster City Council and responsible for overseeing logistics at the LRF, said: “These supplies will support people working in social care, as they work tirelessly to help some of Lancashire’s most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus outbreak.

“We’re proud that our LRF partners in Lancashire have been able to work closely together to make this happen. Obtaining PPE is challenging at the moment across the country, due to unprecedented demand. This supply will go some way to ease the pressures being felt by our public services, while we continue to identify and develop more robust supply lines.

“All partners within the LRF are working together to monitor existing and anticipated PPE levels on a daily basis, to ensure sufficient supplies are distributed to those most in need.”

The group added that more equipment may be needed if the coronavirus situation changes in the future.