An elderly Otley lady has travelled outside of the town for the first time in 30 years, thanks to the work of a local group.

This was just one example cited of the work of Otley Action for Older People (OAOP), which aims to address the needs of the elderly community in the town, at the annual general meeting.

Chairman Councillor John Eveleigh (Labour, Otley and Wharfedale), said that the group had focused on issues affecting the elderly, such as poverty and isolation.

He said: "One of the things we identified early on was the fact that a lot of people did feel isolated in their own home, in their own locality.

"One lady said to me it was the first time she had been out of Otley in about 30 years.

"In the work of organising trips and excursions, it means hopefully that we can bring a bit of social cohesion to the town and certainly to older people."

Coun Eveleigh said that an appeal was to be launched for a new minibus for the group to continue its work.

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