ELDERLY residents in Middlesbrough will be safer in their homes thanks to a cash award.

Securicor has given Southfield Community Council £500 to help fit security door chains for elderly people in the area.

The council was nominated for the award by treasurer Allan Roberts, who has worked at Securicor cash services in Teesside for 14 years.

He said: "According to recent newspaper reports Middlesbrough has two-and-a-half times the national average of burglaries, so we need to do something to improve security immediately."

Every year, Securicor invites its employees to nominate local causes to receive a donation.