Okehampton District and Community Transport Group has received the keys to a new vehicle with wheelchair access.

The Citroen Berlingo will be available to take clients using wheelchairs to healthcare appointments or places of interest.

The purchase of the van was made possible with a grant from the Devon County Council Sustainable Community Transport Fund, and was adapted to provide wheelchair access by GM Coackworks.

The group provides transport to hospital and medical appointments, and social visits, particularly for those who find themselves rurally isolated.

It also runs a ring and ride service which collects people from their homes and drops them in Okehampton at a destination of their choosing.

If needed, the driver can carry shopping bags and help in any way possible.

The ring and ride bus is also used to run lifestyle trips on Saturdays, and their Peugeot seven-seater vehicle is used during the week. Recent destinations have included Buckfast Abbey, Newton Abbot and Exeter.

The group has been looking for new volunteer drivers, and has had a great response to the appeal. However it still would like to find drivers living in Lewdown or Bridestowe, willing to spare as much or little time as possible each month.

For more information on the group or to volunteer, call Sue Wonnacott on 01837 55000.