MORE than 40 Newport pensioners went on a day trip to Tintern Abbey yesterday thanks to funding given to Duffryn Community Link.

Along with Newport West Communities First Cluster, Duffryn Community Link was given £2,000 by the manufacturer International Rectifier to help older residents from Duffryn, Gaer and Maesglas to go on local trips and to pay for them to do activities to help tackle social isolation.

The company, which makes energy-saving power management semiconductors, is helping to fund trips and other activities for older residents.

Yesterday's trip was supported by three Oxfam peer mentors for people who may be going on the trip alone.

Biagio 'Joe' Chiummo MBE, chairman of Duffryn Community Link and Newport over-arching partnership board, said everyone was delighted to receive the donation which will bring many older people in the cluster out and about and socialising.

"We are grateful that such a prestigious global player as International Rectifier has once again decided to support their neighbours in a Communities First cluster area," he said.

"They helped us last year by supporting young people’s development and we would be delighted if more companies would follow their example."