OLDER people in Ryedale are being urged to get involved in a potentially life-saving "message- in-a-bottle" scheme.

The project has been organised by the Lions Clubs of Scarborough, Filey, Whitby, Ryedale and Malton, in partnership with Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT), local forums for older people and Age Concern Scarborough and District.

It involves placing a small plastic bottle, which contains personal and medical information, in an older person's fridge door. A sticker is put on the inside and the outside of the fridge to alert firefighters, police, paramedics and other emergency services personnel that extra information is available about the person that they may need when treating them in an emergency.

The venture follows a hugely successful campaign last year in which the Evening Press joined forces with the Minster Lions in York to offer a similar message service.

Roy Foggin, president of Ryedale Lions, said 5,000 message-in-a-bottle packs were available and Scouts and schoolchildren had helped get them ready.

Angela Atkinson, chief officer of Age Concern Scarborough and District, said: "We have already received lots of inquiries, and we are naturally keen to support any initiative that will make life better, not only for older people, but families and individuals involved with illness, and their carers."

Derek Bartrop, head of patient and public involvement at the PCT, said he was pleased to back a scheme that helped to keep people safe and well.

People can pick up information leaflets about the scheme in Scarborough, Whitby, Filey and Ryedale. A launch event will take place in Pickering at the Memorial Hall on Wednesday, March 3, at 2pm, and at Ryedale House, Malton, on Friday, March 5, at 7pm.

Updated: 11:36 Wednesday, February 25, 2004