A DRIVER who has spent 20 years helping the mid Cheshire community has retired at the age of 85.

Don Matthews has been a volunteer driver with Community Transport in Northwich since 1995 but has been forced to hang up his car keys because he has been diagnosed with the eye condition age-related macular degeneration.

"The only regret I have is that having had cataract surgery in the past six months on both eyes, with a brilliant result, at the back of it is macular degeneration and that is what's got me in the end," he said.

"It was a forced retirement really and I regret it coming so quickly like that – it was a sudden cut off from some of the clients and I didn't get chance to say cheerio to them."

Don, who lives near Lostock, is originally from Bedfordshire.

Work brought him to the north west in 1965 and he got his job driving ambulances for social services in 1980 when he was made redundant, aged 50.

He volunteered with Community Transport when he retired from the ambulances in 1995.

"One of the big things I've got out of the job was meeting some really interesting people," he said.

"The first thing that struck me when I came up here – I'm originally a southerner – was the number of ladies we were picking up that had been in service in the big houses in Cheshire.

"That was one of the perks of the job, meeting some really interesting people."

Community Transport includes Northwich and Winsford Dial a Ride, Rural Rider, evening transport in Northwich on Wednesdays and Thursdays and a variety of day trips.

Don said: "It's a brilliant worthwhile service and is so well received.

"I would recommend anyone to volunteer for it if they can."

Sue Pritchard, community transport manager from Cheshire Community Development Trust, said: "Don will be sadly missed.

"He has been a stalwart of our service for many years, initially driving Dial a Ride buses and then as one of our car drivers.

"He will be a hard act to follow as many of his passengers enjoyed his company and saw him as a friend not just a driver."

For more information about Community Transport visit cheshirecdt.org.uk/community-transport.