Leominster Shopmobility, which is experiencing a boom in demand for mobility aids for the disabled, has a natty new piece of kit at its depot.

The battery-powered 'scooter' is a portable model that can be easily taken apart in sections and stowed in the boot of a car.

"We've had requests from disabled people wanting to go away for the weekend or on holiday, but up until now we haven't had a suitable scooter for them to take away," said Shopmobility co-ordinator Richard Langridge.

The new item was purchased with the help of a £600 grant from the Rowlands Trust. Users will be asked for a returnable deposit but like all the other equipment at Shopmobility lending will be free.

The depot at Leominster's central area car park, which also serves as a Red Cross loan centre for equipment such as commodes, crutches and zimmer frames, is getting busier by the day.

'Business' has grown by 20 per cent a year since Shopmobility was launched in 1995. This year has seen a particularly big boom - demand was 33 per cent up at the end of July compared with the same time last year.

"Demand is growing all the time," said Mr Langridge. "Our 30 manual wheelchairs are out on loan most of the time because not everyone who needs a wheelchair qualifies for one on the NHS."

Six new wheelchairs are about to be delivered thanks to a £1,000 cheque from the recently launched Herefordshire Community Foundation.

l Leominster Shopmobility welcomes volunteers to help run the centre. Anyone interested can contact Richard Langridge on 07712220424.