Elderly and vulnerable people in two districts of Wiltshire are being used to pilot a new form of alarm system which social service chiefs say could provide a win-win situation for pensioners across the country.

The Telecare pilot scheme is effectively an advanced, high-tech version of the alarm bells used by the elderly in case they fall or call for urgent medical help.

But the Telecare system allows a host of sensors and other alarms that can alert carers, family and even the police to an emergency in the home of a vulnerable elderly person.

The 'intelligent' system can be rigged up to smoke alarms, movement sensors and fall detectors in case the person concerned cannot activate their wristband or necklace alarm button themselves.

It can alert the authorities if someone is the victim of a break-in, hasn't been able to get out of bed, or has succumbed to a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.

For social service bosses, the aim is to allow vulnerable elderly people to continue living in their own homes for as long as possible. The system is particularly valued by the more active spouses of elderly people, allowing them to get out and about without worrying about their loved ones left at home, they said.

In the past, alarm services like this have either been private ones between individuals and care companies, or provided in sheltered housing complexes. The pilot trial is the first time council bosses have paid for a new high-tech system in their elderly taxpayers' own homes. The rationale is the system will end up proving cheaper than having to move someone into a care home because they don't have the alarm.

"All users are assessed individually to make sure the service is tailored to their needs. Various sensors can be installed to send an automatic alert to summon help, as well as allowing people to summon help if they need it in an emergency, such as after a fall," said a spokesman for Wiltshire County Council.

The pilot has seen social service chiefs team up with two housing associations in Kennet and West Wiltshire, and is already proving a boon.

"The telecare system is wonderful. It allows people to stay in their own homes, secure in the knowledge that if something does happen they can summon help immediately," said social services head Cllr John Thomson.

"This is about making sure that our services are available when and where people need them – not when we want to provide them. We are determined to carry out our promise to give people a life, not a service," he added.

Jennifer Ashen said her husband Peter used the alarm for the first time after just a week of it being installed in their home in Westbury. "This has been brilliant," she explained. "It puts my mind at rest when I am out, knowing my husband has help if he has a fall or any problems.

"We only had it about a week before we had to use it. We had such a quick response, and everyone was so nice and helpful. It saved us from calling an ambulance, freeing them to help others who need urgent care. It really worked out wonderfully," she added.

Selwood Housing chairman John Alford said: "This is a great new service for vulnerable people in our communities."