A campaign to cut down the amount of cancer-causing radon gas in homes has been launched as part of a nationwide Government initiative.

October is to be branded Radon Month in a bid to heighten the profile of the campaign in Skipton and Craven - a radon hotspot.

The gas occurs naturally in certain areas because of the geology and is caused by small amounts of uranium present in the rocks.

The new campaign has been launched by Environment Minister Michael Meacher, who said 31 authorities throughout the country were involved.

Craven has been earmarked by the National Radiological Protection Board as one of the locations where radon can seep into homes.

It is not one of the high risk areas, but evidence reveals that 5 per cent of homes are above the action level, which is 200 becquerels - a radiation measurement - per cubic metre.

The latest action offers people a chance to get a free test and advice on how to clear the gas from their homes.

Craven Council environmental health officer, Ken Robinson, said Craven was in the first group of local authorities to launch the initiative, which follows the first series of tests in Craven between 1996 and 1998.

"It's a two pronged initiative. The aim is to encourage those people who had the test and didn't act upon it and to reach the people who were offered tests, but didn't take them up," he said. He stressed that the information about the location of people's homes would be kept in strict confidence.

Dr Martin Green of the National Radiological Protection Board, said the project would spread over the next three years.

"Of the 23,000 homes in Craven, two thirds are in radon affected areas but only 10 per cent are in high risk areas.

Most home owners would have to pay about £600 for the ventilation equipment.

Anyone wanting more information should contact Mr Robinson on 01756 706380 or the NRPB number on 0800 614529.