Older people will be able to ride in style thanks to a new minibus bought for the Attleborough Day Centre.

The vehicle, which cost about £31,000, will be used to get seniors to and from events at the Church Street centre, and take them on shopping trips to the supermarket.

Emma Callaghan, the day centre's manager, said about half the cost of the new minibus had been paid for from grants, and the rest came from the centre's own funds.

Ms Callaghan said: 'Our old minibus was over 10 years old.

'But, with the help of grants from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and Breckland Council Match Funding via Norfolk Community Foundation, we have been able to match fund and purchase a brand new and upgraded vehicle with wheelchair accessible tail lift.

'This vehicle has been specially adapted to meet the individual needs of our service users.

'The new minibus will enable us to continue to collect service users from in and around Attleborough and transport them to the Centre on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week.'

Ms Callaghan said the bus made about 37 pick-ups each week, and usually about eight people went along on the shopping trips.

She said older people went to the day centre for a meal, to socialise, listen to talks and learn about how to access other services around the area.

The minibus picks up people from around Attleborough, as well nearby villages and towns including Wymondham, Hingham, Banham, Old Buckenham and East Harling.

The centre also offers an assisted bathing service.

There is also a 'Dementia Day' for dementia sufferers and their carers on the fourth Friday of every month.

Brenda Greig, chairman of the centre's board of trustees, said: 'We have been through some challenging times with cutbacks in funding for social care but endeavour to continue developing the service in order to improve the lives of older people living in the region.

'We are pleased to be able to upgrade our vehicle which is an integral part of the service we offer.'

For more information about the centre and its services, call 01953 454613 or visit www.attleboroughdaycentre.co.uk