International electronics distributor Farnell has helped Armley Helping Hands buy carbon monoxide detectors with audible alarms for elderly residents.

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The project follows a recent report by Corgi which found the highest rate for carbon monoxide poisonings were found in Yorkshire, where 18 per cent of all incidents in the country occurred.

The research found there were 102 carbon monoxide poisoning incidents in total – claiming 50 lives – between January 2006 and April 2007.

Dawn Newsome, project manager for Armley Helping Hands said. "The elderly are probably most vulnerable at this time of year due to the cold spells that we have.

"A lot of people have lived in their houses for many years with old appliances and are not aware of the dangers.

"By providing theses detectors we can help prevent people from becoming seriously ill or even worse dying."

According to CORGI, the elderly have been shown to be particularly at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Faulty heating can be a significant problem for many older people as it may not have been checked for a number of years.