Community-spirited individuals are being asked to volunteer for a new project which will help keep vulnerable people safe in the event of heavy snow and ice this winter.

Last year’s icy weather meant roads and pavements across the country became treacherous, with many older and disabled people housebound as a result.

And with snow forecast over the coming weeks, Chester-le-Street housing association Cestria Community Housing has teamed up with Durham Constabulary to encourage local people to become ‘Snow Angels’.

Should the heavy snow return this year, staff from both organisations will be taking to the streets to clear pathways, as well as delivering essential groceries to vulnerable residents, and they are looking for a team of volunteers to join them.

Cestria are supplying extra salt bins across Chester-le-Street in preparation for the project, as well as marking all bins with Snow Angel stickers, aimed at attracting even more volunteers.

The association’s customer relationship manager Lisa Coverdale said: “Many of our tenants are elderly and vulnerable and our aim is to ensure they stay safe should we get a repeat of the snow we had last year.

“We also know that our tenants, along with members of the local community, are very community spirited and are always willing to help their neighbours where they can.”

Becoming a Snow Angel is easy – all volunteers need is warm clothing and a shovel. In the event of heavy snowfall volunteers will be contacted and asked to help clear paths in their area.

They may also be asked to deliver groceries to vulnerable households, with Batley’s cash and carry, and the Chester-le-Street town centre branches of Tesco and Iceland all pledging their support for the project by offering provisions for distribution in an emergency.

Sgt Paul Teare, from the Chester-le-Street Neighbourhood Team, said: “We will do our best to help as many people as possible based on individual needs, the amount of requests and number of available volunteers.

“By becoming a Snow Angel volunteer you will know you are making a real difference to someone’s life at a difficult time.”