Organisers of a little-used mobility service in Brighouse have made a plea for support from disabled people.

Calderdale Shopmobility's Brighouse centre has been infrequently used since it was launched in September.

But co-ordinator Jackie Stark said the popularity of the organisation's outlet at the Piece Hall in Halifax proved the scheme could work.

She said: "There are embarrassingly few people using the Brighouse office. Volunteers don't want to be sat twiddling their thumbs. We did the research which showed there was a need.

"Brighouse is a great place to shop for disabled people. It's flat and there are a lot of different shops close to each other. Our office even has a taxi rank next to it so it's easy to get to."

Users of the shopmobility scheme pay £5 membership each year and after being trained can use a range of electric wheelchairs and scooters.

The Brighouse office, at the Salvation Army in King Street, has been so little used some of the scooters have been taken to the Halifax office which was opened in January. The Calderdale scheme was set up with a £100,000 grant from Opportunities for Volunteers.

Calderdale Shopmobility committee member and Brighouse Regeneration Forum project manager Bill Terry said: "We need to keep the office open. I'm sure it will pick up in summer.

"Jackie has rung just about every church, residential home and disabled group so people do know about it.

"It's always difficult to get a scheme like this off the ground but Brighouse is ideal for it and the Council has done a lot of work putting in dropped kerbs."

The office opens Tuesdays, Wednesday mornings and Fridays. More volunteers are needed to run the service so it can be extended to other days. For more information call (01484) 402102.

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