ORGANISERS of a scheme for elderly people living at home and in need of support have been delighted by its success.

The floating support scheme was launched by Endeavour Housing Association, in partnership with the charity Adult Placement Service, which has an office in Thornaby, near Stockton.

The service, which aims to prevent small problems developing into large ones, looks after the needs of 15 people in Stockton and three in Middlesbrough.

Pat Lee, who supports nine tenants in the Stockton area, said: "I cannot tell you what it means to me to see tenants go from being terribly depressed, worried and unhappy, and cut off from the world, to being enthusiastic about life.

"The other day I took someone for a walk who had not been out for years, and the scent of the wallflowers and the blossom trees just had a magical effect on her. It was absolutely wonderful to see."

Steve Amos, assistant supported housing manager for the housing association, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the way this scheme is going. So many clients seem as if they have had a new lease of life as a result of it."