A group of residents are banding together to help tackle loneliness among elderly people.

After KentOnline reported last month that residents at a Dartford care home were saddened when no visitors turned up to a "nip in for a natter" session, businessman Edd Withers decided to take action to ensure the same does not happen in Canterbury.

Taking to the popular Canterbury Residents Group, which he runs on Facebook, Mr Withers appealed to the local community for help organising regular visits to nearby residential homes.

Dozens of people have since responded, with many keen to volunteer their time and others offering to bake cakes and provide refreshments.

Joanna Luck commented: "What a lovely idea! True community spirit too. Count me in."

Alison O'Hara wrote: "Fantastic idea. My mum is in a Canterbury care home - we visit as much as possible but a lot of the residents go days without having someone just to sit and chat with. It literally does make their day."

Mr Withers says he is delighted by the number of people who have backed the idea.

"It had a great response," he said. "About 50 people expressed interest - I was really pleased.

"What we need to do now is to find some homes for the elderly that would be interested in organising regular visits - in the district, but particularly in the city.

"It would be great to get a team together, and to schedule regular visits at different homes, on a rotation."

Any residential homes interested in organising visits should contact Mr Withers via Canterbury Residents Group on Facebook.

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