The Northumberland Rural Shopping Project provides a transport programme to over 50s living in remote areas.

The service is managed by Age Concern Northumberland and takes people shopping or to social and entertainment events around the area.

The Countryside Agency has nominated the scheme as a transport National Demonstration Project.

The service is run by a mix of volunteers and paid helpers and costs �2 per person, who are collected from home by minibus and taken out for the day.

'Social exclusion'

In its first year, the service took more than 1,500 passengers from more than 30 locations. It currently has a waiting list to join.

Age Concern project co-ordinator for the North division, Laura Mathieson, said: "Giving people the independence to shop for themselves, select a birthday present for a grandchild or choose their own clothes, rather than relying on someone else means so much."

The Countryside Agency provided a start-up grant of �30,000 and on-going funding comes from a number of organisations.

Countryside Agency North East regional director Huw Davies said: "This project offers so much more than its title suggest.

"Not only does it help those living in isolation to retain their independence but, through social interaction, does much to tackle associated problems such as social exclusion and mental health issues."