POLICE have joined forces with a landlord to recruit willing volunteers to help ensure elderly and vulnerable people are kept safe during the winter.

Chester-le-Street Neighbourhood Policing Team together with Karbon Homes are co-ordinating Snow Angel volunteers to clear paths of heavy snow and ice and deliver essential provisions to those who are less mobile.

Karbon Homes has also supplied additional salt bins across the area where it operates to prepare for adverse weather conditions, which may close public roads and make access to minor roads and footpaths inaccessible to residents.

Lisa Coverdale, customer services manager at Karbon Homes, said: “Many of our residents are elderly and vulnerable and our aim is to ensure they stay safe should we experience heavy snowfall and extreme weather conditions.

“We’re looking for people to become volunteers or ‘Snow Angels’ who will help to clear paths in their area.”

PCSO Adrian Richards said: “This is a great initiative where partners including the Police, Karbon Homes and volunteers can work together to ensure that some of the most vulnerable members of our community do not become isolated or cut off in the event of prolonged adverse weather conditions. We can deliver food parcels and clear driveways if needed for the residents of the local area.”

Becoming a Snow Angel is easy. Volunteers will need warm clothing and a shovel and in the event of heavy snowfall, they will be contacted and asked to help clear paths and deliver provisions.

Batley’s Cash and Carry on the Drum Industrial Estate has also pledged its support to the project by offering to provide provisions for distribution in the Chester-le-Street and Pelton areas in an emergency.

Anyone interested contact the Chester-le-Street police on 101 or email adrian.richards@durham.pnn.police.uk or christine.taylor@durham.pnn.police.uk.