SHOULD the unthinkable happen over the Christmas period here is a list of emergency contacts, which may be useful: District Council Services...

South Lakeland District Council's offices will close at 12.30pm on December 23 and will open again on December 28.

The offices will close for New Year on Friday, December 30 at 2pm and will re open on Saturday January 3.

In the event of an emergency the following numbers are available 24 hours a day.

For Kendal and Eastern area call 0870 428 6905 For the Lakes, Ulverston and Western area 0870 428 6906.

County Council...

Cumbria County Council's offices will open as usual on December 23 and will re open on December 28. The offices will be shut over the New Year period from December 31. They will re open on January 3.

The "out of hours" social services team for emergencies over this period can be contacted on 01228 526 690.

Meals on Wheels...

The Meals on Wheels service will be operating over the Christmas period. For North Cumbira contact Barbara Wildey/ Pam Poyser on 01228 607 693 For South Cumbria call Ellen Shepherd/Lynda Hadley on 01229 894 338 For West Cumbria call Anne Turner on 01900 325 880.

Recycling and Rubbish...

County Council civic amenity sites will be open at the usual times but not on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, December 27, New Year's Day and January 2.

County Libraries County libraries will be closed from Saturday, December 24. Kendal library will re open on December 28,29 and 30 from 10 am to 5pm. All libraries will open as normal from January 3.

Gas, Water, Electricity...

For burst water pipes or other water problems call the Leakline on 0800 330 033. If you have problems with water supply, you should call 0845 746 2200.

If you have no electricity call 0800 954 141. If you have a problem with wastewater, such as a sewer leak call 0845 602 0406.

In the event of gas leaks or other gas emergencies call Transco 0845 602 0406.

Highways ...

The Highways hotline is open 24 hours a day and will remain so over the Christmas period. Members of the public should call 0845 609 6609, if they have a problem.

Travel...

Local information on bus services and timetables is available from Travel line on 0870 608 2608. The service will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

National Rail Enquiries can be contacted on 08457 484950 but this service is closed on Christmas Day. The vast majority of train companies will not be operating services on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Train times can also be found by logging on to www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Police Stations...

For non emergency police contact, people should call the new number 0845 33 00 24 7.

Kendal Police Station's reception desk will be open the whole way through the Christmas and New Year period, apart from Christmas Day.

Windermere Police Station's reception desk will be shut on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

For any problems the main police number is 0845 33 00 24 7.

Samaritans ...

Samaritans volunteers will be on hand to talk on 08457 90 90 90. Calls are charged at a local rate.