Bingo sessions, coffee and a spot of line dancing at a fast food restaurant in Kendal are helping to pass the time for a senior citizen whose weekly trip to Kendal has been thwarted by a cut in bus services.

Etty Thwaites is forced to shop in Kendal because of low amenities where she lives in Orton and really appreciates the coffee morning.

"There were five buses a week, but now there is only one on Wednesdays.

What else could I do for four hours in Kendal if it is raining and miserable?" said Mrs Thwaites.

The weekly coffee morning at McDonald's enables pensioners to take part in activities, such as bingo and line dancing, free as part of McDonald's Community Enterprises.

Liz Stamp, shift manager, said: "We cater for everyone, not just young people and we are the only McDonald's that does this."

Marjory Baran, 69, from Kendal, said: "We enjoy it here very much and there are lots of things to do and it is a great way to meet new people.

It is very good for elderly people."

Mayor of Kendal, Coun Avril Dobson, who came to have a coffee and a chat with the pensioners, said: "It is an absolutely great place for the older people to meet and socialise, especially for people living on their own.

"It is very community-spirited of the people at McDonald' s to make this available.

It is one of the few where people can come along and it doesn't matter if they miss a week."

Restaurant staff have also organised day trips for the pensioners.