ALMOST half of all electric blankets taken for testing in Bury were found to be unsafe.

Trading Standards officers in the town ran a high profile campaign and carried out free testing sessions.

And 46 per cent of those seen in Bury fell were not safe for use. Among the rest 19 per cent needed minor repairs carrying out before they were passed as fully safe for regular use.

Bury's public protection spokesman, Cllr Pam Walker, said: "Previous safety inspections carried out in the town have recorded similar high levels of failures or blankets needing some kind of repairs.

"This is a worrying situation and we would urge anyone who uses an electric blanket and has had it for some time, to ensure that it is safe by having it tested by a qualified person.

"We do hope to run similar campaigns in the future but our message at the moment, especially with winter rapidly approaching, is that if you have an electric blanket and you have any doubts about its safety have it checked."

More than 170 blankets were tested in Bury and the main reasons for failure were age and a lack of overheating protection.

The unsafe blankets found in Bury had their wires removed and were donated to the charity organisation, World Aid, for distribution in orphanages.