SCORES of empty bottles were thrown into the River Skerne yesterday to launch a new health campaign.

Message in a Bottle aims to get older and vulnerable people to keep their health details in a plastic bottle in their refrigerators in case of emergency.

The scheme has been up and running for over a year in County Durham, and yesterday the voluntary groups in Darlington kicked off the campaign in the town's South Park.

Milk bottles, with the green medical cross on the side, were thrown into the River Skerne to mark the occasion.

Firefighters with a net and a boat were on hand to pick them all up out of the river, so there was no environmental damage.

Message in Bottle will be officially launched in the market square on Friday, April 15.

Thousands of bottles have been distributed to groups in Darlington.

They look like large white pill bottles, with a green medical cross on. Inside, there is a leaflet which should be filled out with the relevant details which medics may need in an emergency.

Details include medical conditions, allergies, doctor details, contacts of nearest people, any dependants and pets.

The bottle also includes two stickers, one which should be placed on the back of the front door and the other for the front of the fridge - showing the emergency services that the occupant is part of the scheme.

A number of groups across Darlington have joined together for the campaign, including the primary care trust, FiftyPlus Age Concern and Growing Old Living in Darlington.

Geoffrey Crute, chief officer of Age Concern Darlington, said: "It is a simple scheme but we estimate there are around 16,000 people in Darlington who would benefit from it."

People who want to get a bottle can go to the market place next Friday between 11am and 3pm.