A charity for elderly people has received a fantastic response for new recruits after the Oxford Mail highlighted its struggle to find people to help with its care service.

Age Concern Oxfordshire has received 11 calls from people offering to work as carers to support elderly people with mental health problems like dementia and depression.

If all the people who have offered their support are selected and given approval to help, it would increase the charity's 30-strong flexible care service by a third.

About 160 people across Oxfordshire already receive help from the service, but more staff are needed to look after another 70 people waiting for care.

Age Concern asked the Oxford Mail for help after failing to enlist new recruits through an advertising campaign and a series of open days.

Personnel officer Pat O'Neill said: "We've had a number of requests for applications from all over the county. We've had a really excellent response and it's down to the Oxford Mail.

"Immediately after the article was in, we had a response from people in Oxford. We've been trying to recruit for a long while, so it's obviously really good news.

"We're still looking for volunteers and people are obviously very interested to help. It will make a difference to a lot of people."

Carers prevent them from becoming lonely by visiting them, helping them enjoy a hobby or taking them out to the shops.

New recruits do not need specific qualifications, and special training is given.

Anyone who would like to help can call Steve Corea on 01235 849400 or write to Age Concern Oxfordshire, St Edmund House, 39 West St Helen's Street, Abingdon OX14 5BW.