HEALTH officials linked up with police and a other experts yesterday to give a village a checkup before winter.

Elderly residents were given flu jabs, diet sheets, low-energy light bulbs and advice in the first project of its kind at Evenwood, near Barnard Castle.

The four-hour session, organised by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, was based in the community centre, but the team also visited houses and shops to talk to pensioners.

Nurse Sue Shine administered flu jabs while Susan Vickers gave out low-energy light bulbs and advice on how to keep homes well-insulated and warm.

PC Jeff Sawyer, a community safety officer, explained how to keep doors and windows secure, and warned against letting strangers over the doorstep without proper identity.

Garage mechanic Shaun Robinson gave vehicles a quick check-up and explained the need to use anti-freeze and keep batteries well topped-up in winter.

Peta Cockburn, from Age Concern, handed out healthy diet sheets, along with notes on all benefits to which senior citizens might be entitled.

Ken Ross, of the primary care trust, said that the session was organised in an effort to keep the whole village, and especially elderly residents, safe in every way over the winter months.

He said: "It is the first of its kind to be tried in our area.

"We are sure it will make the winter more healthy and comfortable for a lot of residents.

"It is mainly for the over-65s, but other people can benefit as well."