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RESIDENTS at a sheltered housing complex in Haverhill are being urged to leave a Message in a Bottle, as part of a new neighbourhood watch scheme.

Haverhill Town Mayor Eric Bowman went along to Westbourne Court on Wednesday to launch the simple, but potentially life-saving initiative.

The scheme aims to ensure that when emergency services are called to the home of someone who has suffered a sudden accident or illness, they have vital medical and personal information about the person involved.

Specially-designed bottles are being distributed with a form inside containing relevant details which can be kept in the fridge. Stickers displayed at the home show the occupier is a member of the scheme.

The St Edmundsbury scheme is the brainchild of Eric Bratt, a Haverhill neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, who heard of successful similar initiatives in Essex and West Sussex.

Helen Lindfield, Suffolk Constabulary's community watch liaison clerk, helped develop the idea with agencies so that it could operate in Haverhill and Bury St Edmunds.

As well as the borough council and police, the NHS primary care trusts, neighbourhood watch and the St Edmundsbury community partnership have contributed to the scheme.

Around 10,000 bottles have been bought and will be distributed free of charge to elderly and vulnerable people.

It is hoped in future to extend the scheme across the whole of Suffolk.

CAPTION: A lot of bottle … Inspector Mike Bacon with resident Violet Spear with her bottle to be kept in the fridge.