A CHARITY has thanked a council for organising free day trips for elderly people.

Great Aycliffe Town Council has been organising the outings for more than 20 years.

The number of trips has increased in recent years and this year they have proved more popular than ever, with more than 1,800 applying to take part.

This year the council has organised 37 trips to Blackpool, the Lake District, Northumberland, North Yorkshire and the Scottish Borders. The outings, which include six for people with mobility problems, are open to the over-60s in Newton Aycliffe.

Peter Beaty, chairman of the Friends of Senior Citizens, said he wanted to thank the council for the service. He said: "I don't know of any other council which provides an all-expenses paid trip for senior citizens, and it is something they should be shouting about."