ANN Bennett is pottering in her garden when we first meet, waiting for the Sobell minibus to drive her door-to-door to the day centre.

I hop off onto the road so the 76-year-old can take her normal seat next to our cheery chauffeur Pete Thirtle. 

She says to me: "You got out the wrong way. You're supposed to get out backwards".

Her observation is reiterated to Mr Thirtle, who agrees with some amusement that it was against safety protocol.

After my mild reprimanding I learn that Mrs Bennett has some authority to dictate on the matter, having used the bus service weekly for five years.

The chatty grandmother-of-two discusses the shrivelled state of her garden roses before suggesting that Mr Thirtle is driving the wrong way to his next pick-up.

After refuting her claims she says: "Isn't he bossy."

She says driving is one of the things she misses most about her good health, which cancer and heart problems have hindered.

As Mr Thirtle takes the arm of his next passenger, supporting him as he shuffles from his front door, Mrs Bennett explains why she looks forward to her Tuesdays at Sobell.

She says: "I get a cup of tea and sit and do puzzles. It's nice company and it's got lovely volunteers. I like my own company but it's nice to go out.

Mrs Bennett, who lives by herself, says she would "struggle" to get to Sobell as often without lifts offered by the drivers.

She scoffs at the idea of cancer killing off her good spirit, adding: "Life is for living. You just have to get on with it."