COUNTY council chairman Dorothy Westell opened a special conference at the Globe Centre in Accrington.

The conference was one of a series being held across the county to raise the awareness of abuse and promote No Secrets In Lancashire.

No Secrets is a tough, new no-nonsense strategy designed to protect vulnerable adults from abuse which has been introduced by Lancashire Social Services in partnership with the local NHS, voluntary sector, Lancashire Police, district councils and private sector care providers.

Prompted by concern for the well-being of vulnerable people and several serious abuse cases in other parts of the UK, the new policy is part of the Government's modernisation agenda.

People identified at risk - in both informal and institutional settings - include any adult, of any age, in need of community care by reason of mental or other disability, frailty or illness and who is unable to protect themselves. Types of abuse include bullying, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, financial or material exploitation and neglect.

The prime aim is to promote the prevention of abuse, however, the strategy also provides a framework for investigating complaints and supporting victims.