MALVERN'S Community Action is £1,000 better off this week, thanks to the town's Freemasons.

The lodges that meet at the town's Masonic Hall, on Belle Vue Terrace, clubbed together to donate the cash to Community Action, which provides services such as the volunteer car service and community minibuses.

The donation from the Freemasons will help fund the minibuses, which provide a vital lifeline for the town's elderly, thanks to the Shoparound service.

Jacci Phillips of Community Action said: "The Shoparound service takes elderly people shopping, and for some of them, it's a major social event, it's the only time they leave their homes.

"The minibuses are also hired out by other groups, such as Scouts and church groups. Hundreds of people across the community benefit from them, and we depend on donations, such as this from the Freemasons, to keep goping. We're very grateful."

Peter Senior, secretary of the Malvern Hills Lodge, said: "We're delighted to give a combined donation of £1,000 to this important local charity."