A 'Dementia Action Alliance' is being created to improve the lives of those with the condition.

The project in Buckhurst Hill will bring together police, emergency services, retailers, community groups, local transport, care providers, the parish council and health trusts in an attempt to provide better services for people with the condition.

The scheme encourages people to set up an action group in their local community to help dementia sufferers feel they can make their own personal choices, to give them a sense of belonging in their community and to give them the knowledge about what benefits and medication they need.

Buckhurst Hill Parish Council chairman, Aniket Patel, said: "We are going to be at the forefront of the community engaging with local stakeholders so that we can help people affected by dementia in our community.”

The parish council said it hopes a local resident will eventually chair the new group.