A SCHEME to hand out plastic bottles that could save the lives of the elderly and vulnerable was officially launched in the mayor's parlour at Basingstoke Civic Offices.

The Message in a Bottle project is being organised by Basingstoke and Loddon Valley Lions. The bottles contain medical and personal details that could be important to the emergency services and are to be kept in fridges in people's homes.

Borough mayor Cllr Gerry Traynor said: "I think this is an excellent scheme, very worthwhile, and I shall do all I can to promote it. I must congratulate the Lions on a splendid initiative."

The two Lions clubs have about 7,000 bottles to hand out to people in Basingstoke and Tadley, and are keen for doctors' surgeries, chemists and care organisations to become involved.

Barry Morgan, one of the organisers from Basingstoke Lions, said the launch event at the Civic Offices on Thursday had gone well.

He added: "There were not as many doctors and chemists as expected, but it was well-attended by some of the important people."

Mr Morgan said distribution of the bottles should start very soon. He added: "There are an awful lot of organisations to contact and I expect the scheme will develop through word of mouth."

He explained it had cost the clubs £7,500 to set up the scheme and they were keen for financial support as they wanted to run it in perpetuity.

"We think there could be as many as 15,000 people who could use this scheme, but obviously not everyone will want to," he said.

Anyone from organisations in Basingstoke interested in the scheme should contact Mr Morgan on 01256 358008. Anyone from Tadley should contact Ken Williams on 0118 981 5698.