AT an age when most people are thinking of taking it easy, 95-year-old Betty Carter is about to embark on a new life - on the other side of the world.

It's a case of one door closing and another one opening as Mrs Carter calls it a day as a charity volunteer in Taunton to emigrate to Brisbane, Australia, to be with her son, Nick, and his family.

Friends and colleagues from Taunton and Somerset Samaritans, where she is a former director and has stood down from manning the phones, gathered in Trull to give her a send off.

They looked back at her time with the organisation, which she joined in 1980, including overseeing the renovation of the premises in Wood Street, influencing national policy, fundraising and visit 10 Downing Street.

Current director Liz Flower said: "Betty has been such an incredible example to so many people.

"Despite her advancing years she has always embraced the many changes we have undergone, constantly adapting to our modern way of life.

"As we approach 50 years of supporting vulnerable people in this area, as our branch historian Betty has left us with a fine record of the many things we have achieved, many of which would not have happened without her."

Mrs Carter said: "I have gained far more from being a Samaritan than I have ever given."