OLDER people in Horsforth have been given a new set of wheels - thanks to the effort of Help the Aged and the community.

The specially customised minibus will be used by voluntary group Horsforth Live at Home Scheme, whose members also worked hard to raise the funds.

It will be used to run older, vulnerable people to a variety of activities, and to its drop in centre and luncheon club, outings, shopping, clubs and even dancing.

Trevor Newsome, assistant co-ordinator of Horsforth Live at Home Scheme said: "Many older people cannot afford to run a car, or are unable to drive or to use public transport to reach our services.

"We therefore need to have reliable accessible transport to be able to provide our older members with the support they need to maintain their independence and freedom.

"That is why we are so pleased with our new vehicle, and grateful to Help the Aged for their generous support."

The minibus, which was handed over to the group on Thursday last week at the Help the Aged shop in Town Street, Horsforth, was also bought from money raised from the Leeds Abbey Dash held in Leeds at the end of the year and supported by Horsforth based company, Bates Corporate Services.

It is part of the charity's SeniorMobility Campaign, which works with community groups and projects to provide specially adapted vehicles, wheelchairs, scooters and other equipment.

Barbara Burnley, regional development officer for Help the Aged, added: "We are happy to help Horsforth Live at Home Scheme purchase their new minibus.

"The work they do, enabling local older people to remain an active, independent part of their local community is invaluable and we hope that this minibus will help them reach even more older people who are in need of their services."

The Horsforth Live at Home Scheme has been running for six years and has a membership of around 275 older people.