ACCRINGTON'S Shopmobility scheme, which helps elderly and disabled people get to the shops, celebrated its anniversary this month after a successful first year in operation.

At a recent party certificates of disability awareness were presented to a number of town centre businesses.

The accolades went to both Barclays and HSBC banks, the market hall, Boots the Chemist, Clinton Cards, and Ethel Austin, plus many more.

A spokesman said: "We have only been open for a year and to date we have amassed 380 members.

"This has enabled us to bring a lot of revenue into the town centre."

Shopmobility has recently been donated a stairlift worth £4,000 by Mr and Mrs Eddleston, of Whinside Nursing Home,.

This, the spokesman said, would help the service hold meetings, coffee mornings and other events at its Whalley Road headquarters.

The spokesman added that the service planned to hold a road show at the town's Arndale Centre on August 19.

And he said the group was always on the look-out for donations from businesses.

He said that donations as small as £50 help keep the service running.

Any businesses or local groups who want to support Shopmobility or the road show should contact Richard on 01254 875856.