Stockport has seen a 'significant' increase in the number of emergency calls over carbon monoxide.

Compared to last year, engineers reported a 69% increase in the number of callouts related to the dangerous gas.

Cadent, the region's gas service, suggested there was a 'worrying' potential link to people not getting their boilers serviced.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas - it is colourless, odourless, and potentially fatal if inhaled.

It can come from anything which burns carbon-based fuels, such as gas, oil, wood or petrol. It forms when there isn't enough oxygen in the vicinity.

Commenting on the findings, Cadent Network Director Paula Steer said: "On the one hand, it is encouraging that people are contacting the gas emergency service if they suspect carbon monoxide. It is exactly the right thing to do, to ring 0800 111 999 immediately.

"However, we are also concerned that this is further evidence of another worrying trend. We commissioned research this year which told us that almost 30 per cent of people are only getting their boilers serviced every two years, or less often than that.

"This is a big worry – I can't stress enough just how important it is to get your boiler serviced every year."

"You can't smell carbon monoxide, and you can't see, taste or hear it. An annual safety check, by a Gas Safe registered engineer, is your best way to protect you and your family."

Cadent recommends a carbon monoxide alarm in every room which has a fuel-burning appliance.

Carbon monoxide alarms can be bought online or at a range of shops, including hardware stores and supermarkets (Image via Cadent)

Signs that carbon monoxide may be present are:

• a gas flame burning orange-yellow, instead of blue;
• the pilot light frequently going out;
• excess condensation in rooms with gas appliances;
• and soot/yellow-brown staining around an appliance.

Symptoms of exposure to the gas are flu-like, and can include dizziness, headaches, nausea, breathlessness, or loss of consciousness.

Find more information on carbon monoxide here.

If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak, you should call 0800 111 999 immediately.

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