SHOCKED trading standards officers discovered a dangerous 40-year-old electric blanket in a safety crackdown in Bolton.

The ageing unsafe blanket was the most startling item handed in by the public during a three day 'health-check' of the town's electric blankets.

Bolton trading standards officers and electronics experts have been running detailed checks on the condition of blankets in a free service at Bolton, Horwich and Westhoughton.

A "substantial" number were found to be unsafe. Dangerous problems include faulty plugs and wiring and damaged flexible cords.

Senior trading standards officer Stephen Eddy said: "People tend to forget just how old their blanket actually is. Wear and tear and regular folding and unfolding may affect the safety of the blanket."

He added: "Age is a very important factor in the condition of electric blankets, though it is not the only factor of course."

Some blankets were checked and found to be unsafe but easily repairable. In those cases owners were advised to return them to manufacturers. Others were registered as fully safe. Owners of safe blankets were advised of the probable "life expectancy" of the blankets before they would need to be replaced.

A detailed list of the number of dangerous blankets found will be presented to councillors later this year.

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