VULNERABLE and older residents are to benefit from additional funding to help them live safely and independently at home.

The £15,000 funding boost approved by Derbyshire County Council will support a Handy Van Network that carries out a range of free safety and crime-prevention services in eligible residents' homes.

These include fire safety checks, general maintenance, security improvements, DIY and fitting fire alarms.

Additional funding will allow a range of specialist safety services to be provided.

It will see victims of domestic abuse supported by the installation of home security equipment and maintainance of silent alarms for high risk victims

Specialist door alerts wilth alarms that flash and vibrate will be installed for vulnerable adults with a hearing impairment

Home security checks will continue - including preventative measures such as fitting window locks and securing doors following a burglary

Carol Hart, Derbyshire's cabinet member for public health, said: "An important aim of the Handy Van Network is to help residents feel safer at home and reduce their fear of crime, fear of falling and other physical harm.

"People who've benefited from the service tell us they feel a lot safer following a visit so we wanted to add to the range of services available."

During 2011/2012, the Handy Van service carried out 8,131 visits and 3,658 home security checks.

Feedback from those visited revealed many had felt safer in their homes as a result.

The Derbyshire Handy Van Network is coordinated by the local authority in partnership with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and district and borough councils.

The free service is run on a day-to-day basis by local agencies and designed to help older and vulnerable people live safely and independently.

It can be used by residents aged over 60 who live at home, those who are identified as 'at risk', or those referred as 'vulnerable' by the police, fire service, councils or health professionals.

Plans were recently approved plans for the Handy Van service to expand to install Telecare equipment including sensors, pressure mats and fall detectors in eligible residents' homes.

It is estimated an additional 550 clients will be supported by the £250,000 investment over the coming year.