A Community Interest Company has been formed to support local services on the Isle of Wight.

The Freshwater, Yarmouth, and Totland CIC was established following discussions with national and local bodies over the past 11 weeks.

It comes in response to the closure of various local services.

Councillor Chris Jarman and former parish councillor Gill Kennett have spearheaded the initiative. The CIC plans to announce more directors soon.

Mrs Kennett said: "The West Wight has a population heavily biased toward those over retirement age and, as such, their health and wellbeing needs are quite different to nationally balanced communities.

"Continued access to locally-based health services is critical, and, given the financial situation of many local people, those must come from an NHS based service. The formation of our own CIC to support a broad range of essential facilities is a landmark change for the better for all West Wight residents."

Councillor Jarman said: "We now have a community based model for supporting, maintaining and, if necessary, operating key local health and social infrastructure services. Although extensive preparatory efforts have only been engaged since August, we trust the first demonstrable results will be announced shortly."