PENSIONERS, campaigners and councillors have said more must be done to prevent isolation amongst rural elderly communities.

They spoke out about the need to increase services and re-engage residents who ‘didn’t realise how isolated they have become,’ following a report by Age UK.

Coun Rosie Elms also warned against cutting health services to avoid having to spend more in the future on easy to avoid health problems.

Their message came as the Later Life In Rural England report revealed that 1.2million people over the age of 50 are living in isolation.

It suggested that cuts to public transport, healthcare and other local amenities could threaten the welfare of older people who are expected to increase by a massive 185 per cent by 2028.

They also said that isolation was an endemic problem that must be tackled not just in rural communities but in urban areas.

Age UK said local authorities should make funding decisions based more upon the impact on the local older community.

In its report it said 35 per cent of pensioner households in rural areas do not own their own vehicle.

Older people in the Ribble Valley, Burnley and Pendle praised two community services that have acted as ‘lifelines’ for elderly residents.

Eileen Roberts, 88, who lives in Cowgill Farm near Clitheroe, uses the Little Green Bus voluntary service to help her get to appointments.

She said: “I started using it in 2006 when my daughter became ill and was unable to take me out.

“Because there are no buses it’s been an absolutely wonderful lifeline but I was hesitant to use it because I thought it would mean that I would lose my independence.

“But whereas before I was totally reliant on my family it’s just helped me to make friends and ensure that I can get to doctors appointments so it’s actually made me more independent.

“I wish more older people would take advantage of it but you don’t realise how isolated you’ve become until a service like this is established and you decide to use it.”

Hilary Coyne, 70, from Nelson, who uses the Communi-Cars service run by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale CVS said: “I would think twice about going out if the service wasn’t there.

“I think the problem is that the older you get the more independent you want to be so don’t always realise how isolated you’ve become.

Coun Elms, who represents Bowland, Newton and Slaidburn, said: “Rural areas have been the first to be hit as councils make cuts to save money and the situation looks like it will only get worse.

“Older people may not want to ask for help for them to travel for check-ups further away so they may ignore health problems which will only lead to bigger healthcare bills when they finally go to get help.”