AGE Concern is searching for residents of Middlewich to be neighbourly by offering support to pensioners in the town.

The elderly people's charity is behind a project called Good Neighbours which recruits cheerful and kind-hearted volunteers to help elderly people with practical tasks.

This could include essential light shopping, collecting prescriptions or pensions.

Good Neighbours has been operating for a year in Congleton borough and has been able to help almost 100 pensioners.

Rosemary Millican, who is the Good Neighbour co-ordinator for Age Concern Cheshire, said: "Sometimes older people will find they need to turn to a relative or neighbour to help them.

"All too often these days they find that support is hard to find. Families may have moved away. Neighbours may work full time or themselves be frail and unable to help.

"Age Concern Cheshire are filling that gap for those older people in need of neighbourly support."

She explained: "We carry out a wide range of small odd jobs, all within the scope of Good Neighbours.

"Volunteers can also help with transport to GP or dentist appointments or pop in for a chat.

"In all cases we do our utmost to put people in touch with others who might be better able to help.

"We want all older people to feel that they do have a good neighbour to turn to, just at the end of the phone.

"We are keen to increase our work in the Middlewich area, but we need to recruit some more volunteers."

Rosemary added: "You may be able to help as a volunteer if you have a little time to spare - Good Neighbours volunteers just do what they can, when they can and are well supported by Age Concern.

"We would be very pleased if we could find people to join our happy team."

For more information about Good Neighbours, phone 01606 836658 or call into the Age Concern office at Salinae, Lewin Street on Monday or Wednesday 10am-noon.

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