Mental health charity MIND this week launched its extended service in Ledbury - but plans for its own dedicated day centre remain a long way off.

Following a £20,000 donation from Barclays Bank in Ledbury, the charity's Herefordshire branch has been able to extend the opening hours of its Leadon Bank base.

The current service has been doubled to two days a week, thanks to the donation. The existing service, on Tuesdays from noon to 4pm, has been increased by the addition of Thursday, from 12.30pm to 4pm.

A new bus link to pick up people at points between Ledbury and Bromyard, also paid for by Bar-clays, began yesterday (Thursday).

The charity says it does not have the resources to extend further, although it would like to have its own dedicated based open five days a week and some evenings.

That is not possible at Leadon Bank because of demand on the space from other groups.

The charity is finding the town's property market too expensive to expand the well-used service further either through buying or renting.

Siobhan King, community co-ordinator, said: "It is just the problem of finding the property. Ledbury is so expensive. Currently, we don't have the necessary resources. We're always on the look-out for extra funding."

The service benefits people in Ledbury, Bromyard and outlying rural communities who suffer from mental health problems.

The charity's own statistics show that at least 12 Ledbury area residents benefit from the day care service on a regular basis, and also six more from the Bromyard area.

Anyone wishing to help the charity should phone MIND on 01432 271643. People wishing to make use of the new Thursday bus link to the day care centre should phone 01989 565646.