PRIVATE landlords are being asked to help combat cold related health problems by ensuring their properties are safe, warm and dry.

With temperatures dipping and snow sweeping in from the north, Professor Dr John Ashton, North West regional director of public health, has called for landlords of vulnerable tenants to take extra responsibility.

It is a move welcomed by private landlord associations which are also urging members to be mindful of the bad weather.

Research has shown that tenants living in older, private rented properties are often those most at risk of cold-related health problems in winter. Professor Ashton said: "There is a stereotypical image of the private landlord that may be true in some cases, but many have a greater sense of responsibility towards their tenants than they are sometimes given credit for.

"I would urge them to take an interest in the welfare of their tenants during the cold snap by ensuring that essential repairs are carried out on time and by doing all they can to ensure that the houses and flats they lease out are dry and draught-proof. This is particularly important when the tenants are frail, elderly or otherwise vulnerable."

Professor Ashton also called on neighbours, friends and relatives to make regular checks on those who are known to be vulnerable.

Anthony Lock, of the National Landlords Association which has 73 members in East Lancashire, said the organisation continually issued advice on such situations.

He said: "When we have exceptionally cold weather like this we particularly ask landlords to make themselves available to take calls about problems and to take action.

"We would also advise them to keep additional heating appliances which can be used in emergencies." John Sharpe, chief executive of the East Lancashire Landlords Association, said: "All of our members are responsible but things do go wrong and we don't know about them if people don't tell us."

Professor Martyn Regan, North West Regional Epidemiologist and Deputy Regional Director of the Health Protection Agency also issued a cold weather warning.

He said: "We dash about doing our daily chores without making concessions to the weather and without appreciating the strain that low temperatures can place on the heart, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes."