COTSWOLD residents are being reminded of a district council service that offers help to people in need during the winter.

Cotswold Careline, a 24 hour emergency monitoring and contact service run by Forest of Dean District Council, offers a bogus caller service which can be used in the event of a situation that causes worry and distress or when there is an intimidating visitor.

With the darker nights now here a minority of people use Halloween or Bonfire Night as an excuse to act irresponsibly, playing tricks on others and mishandling fireworks - which can cause issues and leave people feeling vulnerable and scared, especially if they live alone.

The pressing of a bogus caller button raises a silent alarm, which automatically connects to a professional team at the monitoring centre.

The team are available at all hours offering help.

Once the alarm is activated the team can discreetly listen into the situation, and assess whether there is a need to summon assistance.

A spokesperson for Cotswold Careline said: "The bogus caller service provides immediate reassurance 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the more vulnerable members of the community.

“Installation of the low cost bogus caller service is so quick and easy that our latest customers are telling us that they wish they had the service in their homes years ago."

For more details on the bogus caller service call the Cotswold Careline team on 01594 812505, or alternatively email cotswoldcareline@fdean.gov.uk.