THOUSANDS of rural home-owners who depend on oil for heating are being urged to make sure their central heating systems are ready for winter, and to check boilers and oil levels of any elderly neighbours.

OFTEC, the trade body for the oilfired heating industry, says householders should check their boilers are in good running order and the oil tank is sufficiently full to provide heating over Christmas and New Year when deliveries may be in short supply as demand increases.