LIFELINE operators in East Yorkshire dealt with more than 7,600 calls over the Christmas and New Year period as they helped the region’s most vulnerable people.

Staff at East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s lifeline control centre provided responses to incidents ranging from a man who got stuck in his bathroom and residents who suffered falls, to leaking radiators.

The service involves sensors being placed in residents’ homes to help them live independently, and these are linked to a call centre which provides a round-the-clock response.

It is available to old, infirm or disabled people, those who have been discharged from hospital and who need extra support, and people at risk of domestic violence, racial harassment, victimisation or distraction burglaries. Between Christmas Eve and yesterday morning, 7,671 calls had been made.

Coun Richard Harrap, the council’s portfolio holder for adult and carer services, said: “The number of calls appears to be alarmingly high, but it has been a relatively quiet Christmas and New Year period and, thankfully, there have been very few major issues which have caused problems.

“It is reassuring that, no matter what time of year it is, there are people ready to assist those who need it.”

John Skidmore, the authority’s interim director of corporate strategy and commissioning, praised staff who he said did a great job taking calls and making visits.