WE would like to draw attention to the shocking state of our national paving which is the cause of millions of trips and falls for older people.

Falls represent the most frequent and serious type of accident for over 65s and for over 75s. They are a leading cause of death.

We know this affects older people's quality of life as research that we have carried out shows that 5.4 million people over 65 are forced to go out of their way to avoid routes that may have faulty or damaged pavements. For older people with mobility problems this represents a significant barrier to leading an independent life.

Next Tuesday we are staging the third National Falls Awareness Day when we will be holding councils to account for the poor paving in their areas.

We urge you to pick up a pavement postcard from any of the hundreds of National Falls Awareness Day events that are taking place across the UK on June 26. A full list of events is available at www.helptheaged.org.uk/ fallsday. They can also be ordered by e-mailing falls@helptheaged.org.uk and will be available in Help the Aged shops from July.

The postcards encourage older people, their friends or family, and the public to highlight an area of dangerous paving to the local street maintenance service.

PAMELA HOLMES, healthy ageing policy manager, Help the Aged.