A PIONEERING project backed by the Government's chief medical officer, which sees firefighters helping protect older people from the dangers of flu, could be rolled out to Warrington.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has been working with health staff to offer senior citizens in mid and south Cheshire free protection from fire and flu.

The project involved the service linking up with Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust to offer home fire safety assessments to residents over-65 when they received their annual flu jabs.

Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, praised the scheme in his annual report out last week.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire Service said the scheme could be set up in Warrington as well.

Sir Donaldson said the project was innovative and was making a significant contribution to public health.

As part of the scheme, a mobile fire station was parked in town centres and supermarkets, with nurses providing free flu jabs before firefighters encouraged residents to book their free safety checks.

Steve McGuirk, Cheshire's chief fire officer, said: "The fire and flu campaign is an excellent example of how we can improve both people's safety, and their health, through more joined-up local services. We intend to further develop this and similar projects in the future."

The scheme could reach the borough within the next year.