DISABLED people can now gain easy access to their community centre, thanks to a group of volunteers from the community.

A new ramp has been installed at Thornley Community Centre following a project by the village's Community Team.

The team is made up of volunteers who live or work in the village.

They meet every month to carry out work to improve the lives of the village's over-65s.

It is one of five teams in Easington established as part of the Healthy Communities Collaborative Programme, managed by Easington Primary Care Trust.

The team is working towards reducing the number of falls suffered by pensioners.

Members have also established a 26-week fitness programme for the over-65s, which was provided free by the Easington Health for All initiative.

The group was able to offer the programme free because Thornley Community Centre provided the venue and refreshments at no cost.

In return, the volunteers decided to buy a portable ramp, which is suitable for wheelchairs, for the centre.