FREE holidays - sing-alongs, bingo and all - are on offer to York pensioners.

The National Benevolent Fund For The Aged is putting on two coaches to Llandudno, North Wales, in November and there are 106 places available.

Everything from transport to meals, entertainment to accommodation is laid on by the charity, which has provided more than 39,000 free holidays in the last 40 years.

To qualify for a place, you need to be on a low income, to be aged over 65 and not to have had a holiday in the last three years.

Bernadette Benati, one of three staff at the small charity, said some of their previous vacationers had not been away since the war.

"The need for these holidays is tremendous," she said.

"Some families don't want to have grandmother or grandfather come along with them or they are scared to go away alone because they have no friends."

Ms Benati said the week-long trips proved a real tonic for the holidaymakers.

The holiday at the three-star Hydro Hotel in Llandudno runs from November 12 to 18, and everything is laid on free.

The benevolent fund needs donations so it can continue to combat isolation. For more details contact 0208 6886655.