A DROITWICH company has launched the UK's first talking alarm system.

Sentico's Smart alarm is the only one in the country that talks the user through its functions, activation and de-activation.

Features of the Smart have led to it being endorsed by the Royal National Institute of the Blind. These include audible prompts throughout the setting and controls, a Braille overlay and its large print manual which will also be produced in Braille.

The system can turn lights on and off so that when a visitor arrives at a blind person's home the lights can be turned on.

It also has a latchkey function, which allows parents to apply individual input codes for their children.

This means that when parents are away from the home, they can be alerted via text message when their children have put in the code and entered the house or, indeed, if they have not returned home at the expected time.

David Ogden, managing director of the Berry Hill Industrial Estate firm, said: "We have the reputation for being the leading provider of access control solutions for the home healthcare market.

"The launch of the Smart alarm is already arousing interest among groups who work with the elderly or visually impaired people.

"We have invested in research, people and new premises to ensure the package is complete and well supported.

"Smart is straightforward to operate, following the voice instructions, and can be activated/deactivated via a key fob controller. This also acts as a panic device in the event of an attack, and it can also operate lights, the garage door, or open and close curtains."

Should the alarm be activated it dials a phone and, for £9.99 per month, it will connect to an alarm receiving centre which will alert relatives, for example, to attend.

Sentico has been going for 10 years and employs 20 people.