Otley's older people are to get their decorating and jobs around the home done at lower prices.

Otley Action For Older People (OAOP) has used lottery money to employ a decorator and a general handyman. And the new Live at Home scheme will be launched on Wednesday at Otley Civic Centre by the town's MP Harold Best.

Stephanie Turner, OAOP project co-ordinator, said the two men, John Mosey and Alan Walker, had been employed on a part-time basis and would start straight after next week's official launch.

The idea is that the men will carry out basic decorating work both inside and out, and other work in and around the house.

And although a small charge will be made, it will be far less than the normal rates.

Councillor John Eveleigh, OAOP chairman, said it was a very exciting project that would extend the work already carried out by the group.

"Coupled with our gardening scheme, we will be able to provide a very comprehensive service for older people," said Coun Eveleigh.

He said strict criteria would be laid down as to the type of jobs taken on and it would not be just on a first come, first served basis.

"The people we have got are really first class and will be good ambassadors for the project.

"There will be a small charge, but the service will be heavily subsidised. We are talking about a generation of people who do like to pay their way," he added.

The National Lottery Charities Board awarded the group £143,000 out of which OAOP has employed a project co-ordinator, the two part-time workers and a new van - which it is hoped will be delivered in time for next week's launch.

Coun Eveleigh said: "If the painting and decorating service takes off as much as the gardening service, it will be a service that becomes greatly valued throughout the town.

"The growth of OAOP in the last 18 months has been phenomenal."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.