A LIFELINE for many elderly people in Crewe and Nantwich celebrated its fifteenth birthday last week.

The borough council's Community Alarm scheme gives people the opportunity to remain independent but offers the reassurance of knowing there is someone there to help in an emergency.

More than 2,500 people are currently part of the scheme which provides a Lifeline Unit in the house and a pendant which can be worn.

Then if the elderly person falls, needs emergency help or is ill they use the unit to contact a member of the Community Alarm staff who are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Last week the service was celebrating 15 years with the mayor, councillor Ray Stafford, among the guests invited to Goddard House.

There were displays and exhibitions by various groups such as Age Concern, Staying Put and the Crime Prevention panel and music was supplied by a choir.

"I am delighted to attend the celebrations," said the mayor. "This scheme was one of the first in the country when it was launched 15 years ago.

"It provides much needed assurance for thousands of elderly people who want to remain independent whilst at the same time know that help is at hand should it be needed.

"I would also like to take the opportunity to give credit to the wardens and control centre staff who remain so committed to the scheme and run it with such pride."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.