RESIDENTS in some of Hyndburn's most deprived areas will benefit from a government initiative.

The Keep Warm Keep Safe project, funded by neighbourhood renewal money, will be launched from the Hyndburn Homewise offices in Whalley Road, Accrington, in the coming weeks.

Representatives will contact and visit homes in Church and the Central, Springhill and Barnfield wards in Accrington.

They will assess eligibility for help, including warm front grants, available through the home energy efficiency scheme, lead pipe replacement grants and other financial benefits to which the householder may be entitled. Lancashire Police and the local fire service are also involved with the scheme and will look to provide crime prevention and fire safety checks, including the installation of smoke detectors.

Heather Shaw, co-ordinator for the project, said: "What we hope to achieve is a one-stop visiting arrangement for people in the area to improve their lives in terms of housing, health and income.

"We are going into people's homes with the sole aim of making their lives better and there are many different organisations involved to provide help, advice and services. The funding has come from the Government and we now have two years to show that we make a real difference for the people who live here.

"If we can make enough of an impact using the funding available, we can then apply for continuation funding to improve the rest of the area."

Community groups and associations will host various meetings to provide further information on help which will be available.

But organisers have warned that residents should not let strangers into their homes without asking to see identification or calling Keep Warm and Keep Safe to check which areas are being visited. For more details call 01254 232249.