Isolated pensioners in parts of Bradford will soon be enjoying the company of friends – thanks to a lifeline project to provide a befriending service.

Shipley and Bingley Voluntary Services has been awarded more than £159,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to provide befrienders for 300 older people in Shipley, Frizinghall and Bingley.

Residents will be able to enjoy a weekly drop-in service, a luncheon club, shopping trips and a day care service.

The project, run in partnership with healthy living project Hale and the Cottingley Cornerstone centre, will also provide a place where older people with mental health difficulties and their carers can enjoy a social afternoon.

Savitri Pema, of Shipley and Bingley Voluntary Services, said: “We are very excited about working with our partners to deliver these much-needed services.”