YORK’S army of voluntary community snow wardens is set to be doubled in size after the city secured more than £8,000 in Government funding to help protect residents during the winter months.

The grant from the Department of Health’s Warm Homes Healthy People Fund will be used to boost the number of wardens from 64 to 130 and will also allow City of York Council to enhance its work with AGE UK’s First Call 50+ service to help vulnerable and elderly residents in cold weather.

The city’s funding totals £8,810 and will mean the First Call scheme, which helps ensure services such as shopping, collecting prescriptions and emergency heater deliveries can be provided, can be expanded.

The snow wardens are trained to keep pathways in residential areas clear and reduce the risk of injuries from falls and the need for people to have hospital treatment.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, the authority’s cabinet member for health, housing and adult social services, said: “This grant will help us provide better awareness of services, better signposting and co-ordination between agencies and more practical help with keeping homes and access routes clear of snow and ice to really help residents during the poor winter weather.”