PENSIONER Betty Shaw is proving how keeping an active mind is helping to keep her young at heart.

The 81-year-old has launched her second book and plans to donate the proceeds to the Air Ambulance Service.

Mrs Shaw, from Darlington, is a member of the Bennet House Writers' Group, which meets in the town's Market Square every Monday.

Through the support of the group members, and her family, Mrs Shaw began to write novels and her first one was published two years ago.

She has been working on her latest book, Snippets from Stanbury, for eight months.

Mrs Shaw said: "It's a novel about characters from a village. I started to write because it keeps me active and I have received a lot of support from my family and friends.

"It took me a few months to finish this book as I write everything down. I can't type and don't know how to use a computer and I don't think I'll start learning at this stage.

"I decided to give the proceeds to the Air Ambulance Service because it does a great job and it doesn't receive a lot of funding.

"I have had 100 copies printed. I just hope I can sell them so I can help the charity."

Copies of the book are priced at £3. They are available to order from Mrs Shaw on (01325) 462496. She will also be selling them at Darlington Library, in Crown Street, tomorrow, from 10am to noon.

* Library visitors will be able to find out more about resources available for visually-impaired people tomorrow. Staff from the Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired, in Vane Terrace, will visit the library every Friday to show people what is available at the centre, from 10am to noon.