OLDER people living in Pendle can expect better services after the launch of a new scheme.

Councils, health workers and charity Age Concern have agreed to work together to give them a better deal.

They hope that by pooling resources they will help the elderly stay independent for longer, involve them in housing, health and social care services, and combat social exclusion and health inequalities.

Coun Chris Cheetham, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for adult services and health, said: "The main aim of the strategy is to promote the well-being of older people in Pendle by providing services that are accessible, integrated and tailored to individual need but which encourage informed choice."

Another member of the group is Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust (PCT) which oversees community health care.

Its chief executive, David Peat, added: "We want to ensure that personal independence, dignity, respect and autonomy are maintained and that social exclusion and health inequalities are tackled by the use of quality housing, health and social care services in the community."

The organisations have set out a three-year strategy for bringing together better services for older people.

In 2004 these will include helping people to stay in their own homes by providing more intensive care and developing a monitoring system to check improvements in older people's health.

And in 2005, day care places and social activities for older people in the borough will be increased, including social events in rural communities.

The group will pool resources to fund free nursing care.

A new community facility in Nelson West is planned for 2006.