FOR the elderly or disabled even small jobs around the home can seem impossible.

Which is why the county council has established a scheme to help those who can't manage household jobs like fixing shelves or changing light bulbs and don't have anyone to lend a hand.

The scheme was set up through a county council led partnership involving district councils, primary care trusts, housing associations and four "not-for-profit" organisations.

It aims to help older, disabled or vulnerable people remain in and maintain their homes by providing "handypeople" to do domestic odd jobs.

County councillor David Lloyd, executive member for Adult Care Services, said: "Little jobs around the houses can be big challenges for older and disabled people. Being able to get practical help like this makes a positive difference to their lives. Most people, however frail they are, would much rather keep their independence and stay in their own homes and schemes like this help them do so."

The scheme provides locally based handypeople to do jobs that don't qualify for grant aid, are too small to interest contractors or for which, if they are tenants, their landlords are not responsible.

For more information Watford and Three Rivers residents can telephone West Herts Against Crime on 01923 801138 and Dacorum residents can telephone Age Concern on 01442 259049.