Elderly and disabled people will be able to get help with small jobs around the home, thanks to a new scheme.

It is being launched for residents in west Oxfordshire on Tuesday. The scheme is run by the Anchor Trust, a non profit-making home improvement service for older and disabled people based in High Street, Witney. The work tackled includes replacing washers or broken windows, fitting smoke alarms and minor plumbing and electrical jobs.

Project manager John Hine said: "If work is carried out there is a small charge of £15 and the cost of materials. We don't charge for labour as the work is carried out by our own technicians. This service means we can carry out relatively simple repairs for older and disabled people without them worrying about the expense and hassle of arranging for a builder."

The service is being run in co-operation with social services, the district council, the local primary care trust, police and fire service.