After a Workington woman lost her husband, she has set up a group to help others going through a similar experience out of the house.

Carol Mckenzie, 69, of Corporation Road, found herself with nothing to do during evenings and weekends in the weeks after the death of her husband of 41 years Trevor in January.

So she formed the Flying Solo group to organise social activities for over-55s who are single, divorced or have suffered a bereavement.

The group's motto is "don't think about it, do it" and its 15 members, who range from 60 to 83 years old, enjoy activities like chatting over coffee, trips to the theatre and day breaks.

Carol, who worked in credit control for SD Taylor Ltd in Carlisle for nearly 23 years, said it was to give people something to look forward to.

She said:"Once you've lost somebody you have to build a new life altogether.

"Talking to people over the weeks I kept asking them what there was to do and everybody gave me the same answer and said there was nothing.

"I thought I can't sit here for the next few years just like this.

"Why be lonely when there's a whole group of friends for you out there?"

The group have so far organised afternoon tea in Cockermouth's Kirkgate Centre, bar meals, a trip to see Fame at Workington's Carnegie Theatre and a meal on New Year's Eve at the town's Caspian restaurant.

Eventually, Carol hopes the group will be close enough that members can go on holiday together or fill coaches for city breaks.

She added: "It's about socialising and the more people get involved, the more we can do.

"It's good to have people who've been through the same or similar things to you but when we're out we don't talk about it.

"Everybody says they're so pleased I've started to do this."

For more information, call Carol on 07535385306.