Prince Charles hears about the Cumbrian scheme fro Alan Tyson

Alan Tyson, a community volunteer drives a minibus for elderly and immobile residents in the county as part of the Northern Fells Rural Project (NFRP).

He was attending a seminar on a series of projects set up to tackle the problems faced by deprived rural communities at the Highgrove home of Prince Charles.

Describing his experience, Mr Tyson revealed how many pensioners and disabled people relished the chance of human contact and of escaping their homes for a while.

He said: "A few ladies would travel whenever the bus was going, just to get out.

"One 90-year-old lady gets on the bus and it doesn't matter whether it's going two or 20 miles, she talks all the way."

The Northern Fells Rural Project, which covers the remote parishes of Ireby, Uldale, Caldbeck, Mungrisdale, Castle Sowerby, Sebergham, Westward and Boltons in Cumbria, aims to cater for overlooked health and social needs of villagers.

Flexible service

It was one of three schemes launched by the Prince four years ago to help rural communities tackle various problems.

Along with several other project, the NFRP was hailed a success in a report by the Countryside Agency.

To coincide with its release, the Prince hosted a seminar on the schemes at his Gloucestershire estate.

Mr Tyson, 49, of Caldbeck, Cumbria, told Prince Charles that the flexible minibus service was now running more than 100 trips per month covering over 1,200 miles.

He added: "One lady last week likened the service to a magic carpet.

"You can call up and I'll whisk you off to wherever you want to go."

Immense response

Other parts of the project include a Lend-a-Hand odd job scheme, workshops for youngsters and advice on applying for benefits.

Of the odd job scheme, Mr Tyson said this could include spending two minutes changing a light bulb followed by a one-and-a-half hour chat.

He said: "I don't know which is more important, I suspect it's the latter."

Dr Jim Cox, who helped set up the NFRP, said the response to it had been immense.

He said: "The number of volunteers we have willing and able is incredible."

The NFRP has now become a limited company.