VULNERABLE people will be helped to retain their independence by state of the art technology, designed to detect dangers around the home.

Sensors in a house can monitor hazards such as carbon monoxide, fire and flooding, while also tracking personal risks such as falling, inactivity, intruders and bogus callers.

North Yorkshire County Council is launching the digital-age approach, Telecare, by inviting members of the public to join delegates from private, public and voluntary organisations in Harrogate.

The 21st-century approach to care uses electronic sensors to monitor and manage risks facing independent older and vulnerable people.

When a sensor is triggered, a direct link to a 24-hour response team will see experts take immediate action.

Features include: l Beds can be connected to a light switch, which will turn a light on when you get up in the night, reducing the risk of falling; l Cookers can be turned off after a set period, or an alarm can prompt you if the temperature around your cooker rises above normal limits; l Gas supply can be shut off or alerts provided if there is flooding; l Messages can be sent to call centres, for example, if no normal movement is detected around the house.

Coun Chris Metcalfe, the county council's adult social services chief, said: "Telecare is the most radical change to the way vulnerable and older people receive support in recent years, and will allow record numbers of people to keep their independence and remain living in their own homes.

"This is an exciting time and we want as many people as possible - especially those who receive care or work in the care profession - to find out about the new opportunities these exciting technologies provide."

Great grandmother Mary Bryant, from the Harrogate area, who has been helping pilot the system, said: "The Telecare system makes it possible for me to be confident living in my own home.

"I wear a fall detector clipped to my waistband and a pendant round my wrist. This means I can call for help if I need it, and someone will be with me in a very short time."

Also being unveiled is a system called Telemedicine, which helps to reduce the need for hospital admittance. It monitors patients' vital health signs, such as blood pressure and pulse, in their own homes to support medical diagnosis and the management of a range of conditions they may have.

To learn more, visit the Pavilions of Harrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground, on October 25 between 9.30am and 5pm. Admission is free. For details and a place, phone Angela Pickup on 01423 561951.