A GROUP bringing cheer to older people on an Oxford estate is going strong, with members 'desperate' to bring more people into the fold.

Friendleys, which meets socially on Wednesdays at Blackbird Leys Community Centre, now has about 19 members and has space for plenty more.

The group's long-standing friendship with Longlands care home in Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys, continues and they have now raised more than £8,700 for a wheelchair-adapted minibus.

Friendleys chairman Peter Nowland, 63, who is also a kitchen assistant at Longlands, said: "It's absolutely fantastic. We all work as a team and everybody's welcome.

"We really are desperate to each out and get more people in. There used to be an age limit but we said let's forget it.

"There's a lot of lonely people in Blackbird Leys. People often don't want to just walk through the door but everyone is welcome."

The group meets from about 10.30am on Wednesday mornings in the centre's Jack Argent Room for tea and cake, games and talks from Oxford organisations.

Mavis Bower, 81, of Knights Road, said: "A lady came from the Museum of Oxford with old-fashioned clothes: hats, corsets and girdles. The trouble was that most of us could remember wearing them.

"Since I've lost my husband it has given me somewhere to go on a Wednesday and we all muck in. I still make cakes and sausage rolls most weeks."

Fundraising for a specially-adapted minibus so Longlands residents and Friendleys members can get out and about began in mid-2015.

Most recently £119 was added to the total following an Easter raffle at Longlands, which threw a party for residents on Wednesday, April 12 with 100 donated Easter eggs.

Friendleys treasurer Sandra Hook said: "Two people are housebound and would love to come. We are hoping the minibus will help."

Sessions cost £2.50 each and all food and drink is included. For more information call Peter Nowland on 07842310355.