Campaigners are launching a bid to improve day-to-cay day care and services for older people in Otley.

The town's umbrella group for older people wants to see a big increase in the number of social services-run day centres and more organised support for both older people and their carers.

At the moment, there is just one day centre run by social services, on Thursdays at the civic centre.

There are other centres run by volunteer and church groups but Otley Action for Older People wants to see day centres expanded and social care to be tightened up.

And it is calling on all those with an interest in expanding facilities to attend its annual meeting next Friday when people will be called on to give their backing to push the ideas through.

Neil McLellan, of OAOP, said a discussion document would be put forward at the meeting which would outline plans to expand day centres in the town.

"Hopefully, we will be trying to expand the number of days that social care is available," he said.

"We think there should be more in Otley and we are trying to kick off a debate at the meeting. It is something that has been an issue of concern over a number of years and we felt the time was right to try and do something about it."

The meeting will also discuss other issues affecting older people such as tackling bogus callers and the launch of an information card with useful numbers.

Mr McLellan said the aim is to get enough people interested in forming a steering group that could then expand the ideas at a public meeting due to be held at the civic centre on June 17. Grant funding could then be pursued.

Councillor John Eveleigh, OAOP chairman, urged as many people as possible to go to the meeting.

He said: "The project's work depends on the active involvement of older people themselves and the support of the wider community plays a key role in its success.

"I hope that as many people as possible will join us on Friday at Bridge Church."

The annual l meeting on Friday at Bridge Church, Bridge Street, is due to begin at 2pm.

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