Trading Standards officers are offering free electrical appliance safety tests in an attempt to prevent house fire deaths.

Officers from Epping Forest district council will offer two days of free testing on items such as electric blankets, toasters, kettles, microwaves, vacuum cleaners and small domestic appliances.

The service will be free to anyone aged over 65 or with additional support requirments due to a learning disability or mental, physical or sensory impairment.

In addition the Essex Fire and Rescue Service will offer a free home fire safety visit at the same time.

The council's safer, greener and transport portfolio holder, Cllr Gary Waller, said: "Last year over 200 people died in home fires in the UK and you are four times more likely to die if there is no working smoke alarm.

“Electricity is a major cause of accidental fires in UK homes."

You can book a testing for October 9 or October 22 by calling Trading Standards on 0845 603 7626.