RESIDENTS in Herefordshire will be sleeping safely this winter, with firefighters carrying out free tests on electric blankets from today.

The Fire Brigade's community fire safety team will be offering the service at all of the county's fire stations throughout this month.

"People need to make sure that their blanket is still safe to use after being folded up and stored away during the summer," said Sub Officer Mark Hayman, who is in charge of the testing programme.

"We want to make sure that your blanket is safe to use, but if it fails the test we will give you a £5 voucher towards a new one."

The voucher can be used at all participating Curry's electrical stores.

The blanket testing initiative has already taking place at Ross-on-Wye and Whitchurch fire stations.

The remainder of the stations are:

Ewyas Harold, today, from 10.30am to 12.30pm and Peterchurch, 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Monday, October 13, Hereford station from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Thursday, October 16, Fownhope from 10.30am to 12.30pm and Ledbury, 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Monday, October 20, Bromyard, from 10.30am to 12.30pm and Leominster, 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Wednesday, October 22, Leintwardine, from 10.30am to 12.30pm and Kingsland, 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Monday, October 27, at Eardisley from 10.30am to 12.30pm and Kington from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.