Hopes of reprieve for a Shopmobility service serving hundreds of people across Cheshire have been dashed.

Launched in 2007, the service provided daily use of mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs to enable people with mobility difficulties to access shops and other facilities across the borough.

The LDRS reported last year how fears had been raised for the future of the DIAL West Cheshire service, after councillors in Cheshire West approved a decision to withdraw grant funding. 

The council said it had been working in partnership with local community sector organisations to try and develop a 'self-sustaining' Shopmobility service.

In August last year a new provider was selected, but has now made the decision to withdraw. 

When the decision was announced last February to axe a council grant of £117,000 over two years, bosses at the charity said it was handling more than 3,000 mobility equipment bookings a year, totalling 130,000 hours from around 800 people.

The service will continue in Chester until the end of March, having ceased in Northwich and Ellesmere Port.

Cheshire West and Chester Council said it is continuing to work on an alternative offer for Shopmobility scooter hire in Chester.

The council recently said it had continued to fund DIAL West Cheshire to deliver a shop mobility service on a temporary basis.

Cabinet member for adult social care, Cllr Shelia Little, said the council was experiencing severe cost pressures like other local authorities around the country.

She added: "We recognise that Shopmobility is an important service to our residents and visitors that use it.

"Our aim was to look at new ways of working with the community and other providers to develop this service in the future.

"We remain committed to finding a longer term solution and are continuing to work on an alternative offer for Shopmobility scooter hire in Chester."

Information about alternative mobility equipment options are available on the Council's Live Well website here.