A DRIVE is being launched to get a simple but effective life-saving scheme operating in many more households across North Yorkshire.

Members of the Hambleton Community Safety Partnership, who promote the Message in a Bottle initiative, are taking to the road this summer to get more people to sign up.

So far, more than 3,000 residents have got their bottles but members of the partnership want all homes to have them.

The scheme encourages householders to place emergency information inside a container, which is then stored in their fridge for safekeeping.

The small, clearly labelled, waterproof bottle contains a sheet of information - contact numbers for next of kin and doctors, drug information, long-term medical conditions and allergies as well as general facts such as the time children must be collected from school or nursery.

A label is then placed on both the fridge and the house door to tell the emergency services where it is.

The partnership's roadshow will be in Stokesley, outside Safeway, on Friday, from 10am to 3pm; Thirsk, outside Tesco, on August 2, from 10am to 3pm; and at Bedale Market Place on August 3, from 9am to 2pm.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police, the fire and rescue service, Age Concern and the trading standards department will also be at the event.

As well as handing out the bottles, staff will be giving advice on everything from crime prevention and traffic congestion to fire safety, bogus callers and pension credits.

The fire service will also, if necessary, arrange home visits to carry out risk assessments and fit fire alarms.

"This initiative provides us with a great opportunity to get out to the people who live in the market towns of Hambleton," said partnership officer, Sergeant Matt France.

"It will give them a chance to speak to community police officers and tell us what we can do to help improve the quality of their lives."

Those who wish to join the Message in a Bottle scheme can contact Christine Carr on (01609) 771327 for the Northallerton area, or John Lancaster on (01347) 838266 for the Easingwold area.

For the rest of the district, call Alison Oldfield on (01609) 767243.