ELDERLY people suffering abuse could be helped by an awareness drive organised by Wiltshire County Council.

The drive is linked to this year's Comic Relief campaign on the same subject.

The council believe that elder abuse is a significant, but rarely discussed problem throughout the UK.

A booklet called No Secrets in Swindon describes how the council should handle any reports made.

In Wiltshire alone 252 cases were dealt with by the county's adult and community service and the police last year.

Abuse can be physical, sexual or psychological or where an elderly person is being financially exploited or neglected.

Thelma Claydon, the council's planning and development office for vulnerable adults, said: "Elder abuse is a problem that is not often discussed, as in many cases the abuse involves families and victims can be reluctant to talk about it."

Anyone seeking help can contact the county council, the police's vulnerable persons unit or the Action on Elder Abuse helpline on 0808 8088 141.