CHARITABLE folk are being called on to help community transport schemes serving the Malvern Hills district as the busy Christmas season approaches.

Volunteer drivers are needed for Upton Community Care, Malvern Dial-A-Ride, Community Action in Malvern, Bewdley's Toc H "Thumb a Lift" and Worcester Wheels.

The five groups joined forces earlier this year under umbrella organisation the Malvern Hills Transport Group to push for more volunteers.

Many of the groups provide transport for elderly and disabled people to attend engagements, such as doctors' appointments and shopping trips.

Rob O'Neil, community liaison officer for the transport group, said there was a constant need for drivers.

Since Malvern Hills District Council extended its concessionary fares scheme to include community transport in June, the demand had increased.

Mr O'Neil - who is also minibus organiser for Community Action in Malvern's Belle Vue Terrace - said they also anticipated increased demand in the run-up to the festive season, with Christmas shopping trips and doctors' surgeries carrying out flu inoculations.

Community Action itself has about 100 drivers and runs a door-to-door service where volunteers drive elderly and disabled people to attend doctors' appointments.

It also organises a community minibus scheme two mornings a week, taking people on shopping trips to towns in the area.

"The problem is, because of shortfalls in public transport and especially in rural areas, where bus and train services are less frequent and more difficult to get to, the demand is extremely high," said Mr O'Neil.

"You get people moving on and doing other things and, because they're volunteers, most of them cannot give massive amounts of time because they have other things going on."

Volunteer drivers need to have a clean driving licence and will be provided with expenses for schemes where they are required to use their own car.

Mr O' Neil said they could give as much or as little time as they could offer.

Anyone wishing to volunteer as a driver for any of the schemes should contact him on 01684 580638.