THE Oxfordshire Small Repairs Service (SRS) is celebrating a milestone – its 1,000th job in South Oxfordshire.

Since the 1980s the dedicated SRS repairmen have carried out more than 20,000 jobs around the county for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable.

Whether you have a broken smoke alarm, need a leaky tap fixed or even a spot of carpentry, the SRS can help.

The service was introduced in the south of the county in 2000 and on Thursday repairman Richard Baker carried out the 1,000th job – fixing a faulty smoke alarm for Les and Jean Wastie of Tiddington.

“Sometimes I may just get called to change a lightbulb,” he said. “A lot of our work is jobs that a plumber or a carpenter wouldn’t bother turning out to.”

Anyone over 60, registered disabled or suffering from a long-term health problem is eligible. A ‘small repair’ is any job that can be finished in less than four hours.

Customers pay £15 an hour – one third of the total cost – and the rest is subsidised by Oxfordshire County Council, which contributes £150,000 a year, and the district councilswhich give a total of £68,000. The service is contracted out to Mears.

Mrs Wastie, 88, said: “We are very grateful, it’s a great help.”

For the South and Vale call 01491 823895, in Oxford call 01865 252887, email environment@oxford.gov.uk, or visit oxford.gov.uk/homeimprovement