A £50,000 scheme to help older people with jobs in their homes was launched yesterday.

The Handyvan project, set up by Age Concern County Durham, and Chester-le-Street District Council, will help prevent accidents in the homes of the 11,000 people aged 65 and over in the town.

The service is being piloted in Chester-le-Street and, if successful, will be extended to other parts of the county.

It is designed to prevent accidents in people's homes, by carrying out small household and garden repairs, and making improvements that will significantly affect people's lives.

Handyvan volunteers will also carry out risk assessments to help make homes safer.

Age Concern's Tracy Freeman said: "The handyvan scheme is designed to promote independent living and reduce accidents in the home.

"It is often the accumulation of small maintenance jobs which can become too daunting for older people and result in them choosing residential care rather than continuing to live independently."

Initially, the scheme will use a project worker and two handymen working from one van on call. This is expected to double in the second year when the project hopes to extend to the Durham City area.

Betty Scott, of Vivian Crescent, Chester-le-Street, is one of the first people to benefit from the Handyvan.

Mrs Scott, 77, is hard of hearing and also suffered a stroke which affected her eyesight. She has had her telephone moved to where she sits, and a door bell fitted so that she can hear callers without having to leave internal doors open.

The worker also refitted interior doors to reduce draughts, and fixed a dripping tap.

Peter Wright, the council's environmental health manager, said: "Another important benefit to the scheme is that older people often find it difficult or stressful to oversee workmen carrying our repairs.

"They often fall victim to unscrupulous cowboys.

"The Handyvan will employ experienced and qualified handy people and our clients can trust and rely on them."

The scheme has been funded by Age Concern, Chester-le-Street Community Alliance and the council. Power tool manufacturer Black and Decker also supports the scheme.