Free electric blanket tests are being offered after three were found to be potentially lethal.

The council's Trading Standards officers and the London Fire Brigade will be testing the bed warmers to make sure they are safe for use during the cold weather.

Last year, 30 out of 52 were found to be unsafe and three described as lethal hazards.

Deborah Lewis of Greenford, who owned one of the dangerous blankets last year, said: "I had no idea my blanket was so dangerous until it was tested and I was shocked when I was told I could have been electrocuted.

"I would encourage everyone who uses one, or knows someone else who does, to get it tested.

"I may not have been here now if I hadnÕt gone along last year."

Clive MacDonald who carries out the testing, said: "Three blankets were an immediate and potentially lethal hazard.

"Two had access to live parts and could have electrocuted users and the third had scorch marks from overheating; this could easily have caused a house fire."

Vouchers will be given to residents whose blankets fail the safety test and cannot be fixed on site to help towards the cost of a replacement.

Free energy saving lightbulbs will also be distributed, along with information on fire safety and consumer advice.

Anyone with a blanket more than three years old should make an appointment for the event at Ealing Fire Station on Saturday, 29 November between 10am and 4pm.

Blankets can be brought in person or dropped off at the following points around the borough:

Southall Communities Alliance, 10 High Street, Southall
Ealing CarersÕ Centre, 46 South Ealing Road
Greenford Library, Oldfield Lane South
Acton Library, High Street Acton

For an appointment for a safety check and to confirm drop-off times, call 020 8825 6086.

Anyone with an electric blanket should follow these top tips:
Check for any exposed wires, scorch marks or tears before using the blanket
Do not use an electric under-blanket with orthopaedic mattresses
Have the blanket checked at least every three years by an expert
Do not switch on an electric blanket if it is wet
Don't use a hot water bottle with your electric blanket
Always switch the electric under blanket off before getting into bed

Nearly 40,000 tonnes of waste has been saved from landfill after the Council's £3 million pound recycling project was launched last year.

Recycling rates have increased consistently with more than 30 per cent of products being re-used or converted into electricity or fertilizer.

Since November 19 last year with the introduction of the mixed plastics collections, the equivalent of 29 million bottles have been recycled.

Garden waste collection has also doubled and more than 40 tonnes of autumn leaves have been turned into compost.

The council is proud of the borough's recycling success and said tax payer's would benefit in the long run as the cost of landfill tax is set to rise from £32 a tonne to £50 a tonne by 2010-11.

Councillor Sue Emment, Cabinet member for Environment and Street Services, said: "It's brilliant to see that residents have really taken on board all the changes that we have made to improve the service.

"Recycling rates have never been so good and we should all be proud of what we have achieved.

"We've always believed that if you make it easy for people then they will recycle.

"The huge improvement in recycling rates over the last year proves that's true and I hope the borough's recycling rates will continue to go from strength to strength.

"Of course when any new service is rolled out there will always be some issues that need to be worked through and we would like to thank residents for being patient while we've dealt with these."

For more information about recycling visit www.ealing.gov.uk/recycling

A new conductor for Ealing Choral Society will be making his debut performance this Saturday (15 Nov).

Jonathan Williams, who joined the society in September, will be conducting his inaugural concert at St Barnabas Church in Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, starting at 7:45pm.

Dr Williams who lives in Oxford said: "I'm delighted to be the new conductor of the Ealing Choral Society.

"My aim is to build on the Choir's many achievements and excellent reputation.

"I want us to be able to perform as broad a spectrum of repertoire as possible so that everybody can enjoy some wonderful singing."

The concert will include performances of Bach's Magnificat, Handel's Zadok the Priest, Vivaldi's Dixit Dominus and works by Rameau, Britten and Tavener.

Tickets cost £15, £13 for concessions and £3 for children and can be bought by phoning 020 8894 5998.

For more information contact enquiries@ealingchoralsociety.org.uk

Bus lanes will be opened up for motorcyclists next year as part of a trial scheme to reduce congestion in the borough.

From January, motorbikes will be able to use all Ealing bus lanes and research will be carried out to monitor the impact on congestion, road safety and the affect on cyclists.

This 18-month trial coincides with a similar scheme announced by London Mayor Boris Johnson last month which allows bikers to use bus lanes operated by Transport for London (TfL) on red routes.

If the scheme in Ealing is successful, it will be made permanent.

Councillor David Millican, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: "There's a whole network of bus lanes stretching across the borough.

"It seems much more sensible to allow motorbikes to use those lanes to help them get through traffic more quickly without having to weave between cars.

"We'll be carrying out research throughout the 18-month period to see what impact the scheme has."

The Cabinet also agreed new criteria for bus lanes such as standardising operation times and ensuring each bus lane is clearly signed.

The development of affordable family homes for rent on an overcrowded estate is now a step closer to completion.

Two developers have now made the shortlist to regenerate the Green Man Lane Estate in West Ealing after a survey of residents last year revealed dozens of families were living in small one and two bedroom flats.

Rydon Construction working with A2Dominion Housing and Countryside Properties working with London and Quadrant Housing Trust will now hold public exhibitions to show their ideas for the area.

The redevelopment will provide more affordable family homes and those for private ownership and dark alleyways and unused paths will be removed to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Will Brooks, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "This is another important step forward for the regeneration of the Green Man Lane estate.

"The developers have come up with some really interesting ideas already and I'm sure residents will be keen to come along to the exhibitions to find out more about the proposals.

"It might seem like a slow process, but it's really important that we get this right and develop the kind of homes that will meet the needs of our residents both for now and for future generations."

The Council is also in the process of selecting developers for Copley Close and Rectory Park estates.

All three areas were prioritised for action after a review of 34 estates in the borough showed they were in desperate need of improvement.

The public are being invited to nominate young cancer patients or survivors for a special recognition in the run up to Christmas.

Cancer Research UK is launching its sixth annual 'Little Star Awards' in partnership with TK Maxx to offer the first 200 entries a £100 voucher to be spent on toys books or clothes.

To nominate a Little Star, email littlestar@cancer.org.uk or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/littlestar

Awards are open to all under 17s who have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.

A long serving Labour European Member of Parliament is stepping down at next year's elections.

Robert Evans MEP for London was first elected as an MEP for London North West in 1994 and re-elected in 1999 and 2004.

Mr Evans cites the new European law prohibiting discrimination against disabled passengers on aeroplanes as his greatest achievement.

The Labour MEP said: "It has been an honour to serve the people of London since 1994 but there does come a time to seek new challenges.

"I am immensely proud to have played my part in improving the lives of the British people and making a difference in the European Parliament."

Actress Amanda Redman (star of New Tricks) is the celebrity guest at a fund-raising black tie dinner being organised by Ealing Mencap at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Ealing Common on November 14 at 7:30pm.

There will be a three-course meal, live music and DJ, auction by MP Steve Pound and raffle.

All proceeds go towards the Enterprise Lodge rebuild.

Tickets are £50 and available from Gill Bond on 07958 982 736.

A support group for first-time parents will be holding a 'nearly new sale' next week to raise money for the branch.

Good-quality donated clothes, equipment, toys, books and games will be on sale at St Mary's Church hall, St Mary's Road, South Ealing on Saturday, November 15.

The Ealing branch of the National Childbirth Trust which helps new parents will be holding the sale from 10 to 11:30am to raise money for playgroups and ante-natal teachers.

For further information, email nearlynewsale@ealingnct.org or postnatal@ealingnct.org

The Ealing Music Therapy Project will be holding an annual general meeting next week.

All members of the public are invited to attend the meeting on Wednesday November 12 at The Spring in St John's Church, Mattock Lane, West Ealing.

The meeting will start at 8pm and for further information, contact Jen Whadcoat on 020 8248 2258.