A NEW village warden scheme for Herefordshire has been launched by the British Red Cross.

A number of the wardens got the scheme up and running by walking through the South Wye area of Hereford, distributing leaflets and answering questions along the way.

The project will mean there will be a team of Red Cross wardens whose aim is to involve older people in the community while helping them to stay independent in their own homes.

Village wardens and volunteers will be putting people in touch with both local and national services, such as the Signposting Scheme, and encouraging them become involved in community activities. They also want to help people who have suffered an illness return to their routine and to stay in touch with neighbours and friends.

The British Red Cross will manage the pilot project, which is being funded by Herefordshire PCT, and they hope many more people will make use of the service.