THE Okehampton and District Community Transport Group is on a desperate search for a driver in the Chagford and Drewsteignton area. The group is looking for a car driver to help with covering longer journeys from the Chagford and Drewsteignton area to destinations such as the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Moorcare, based in Chagford, covers many of the local journeys required by community transport users, but it does not cover longer journeys. The group is a community-led scheme supported by Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council to provide transport for the local rural community and for people who find it physically difficult to use conventional public transport, the frail elderly, and those who are rurally isolated. The group provides transport to hospital and medical appointments, and social visits. As well as the bus it offers a community car service and a ring and ride service, with specialised wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The transport group's Chagford driver has had to resign due to other commitments. Sue Wonnacott, transport group co-ordinator, said: 'Our former driver has recently got full time employment, so has had to resign, sadly. 'We are desperate to find a driver in the area, because at the moment our closest driver is Whiddon Down. 'Even then, that driver is not always available, so it is costing us a lot to send drivers from Okehampton to Chagford or Drewsteignton and back. The mileage for doing so is much higher. 'Having said that, things are going very well with the group. 'We have recently made lots of good contacts, and though our Saturday day trip service is currently in limbo, we are working on maybe getting those going again for the summer.' The transport group pays its drivers 45p per mile and also indemnifies your no claims bonus and policy excess. Volunteers can spare as much time as they like, from a couple of hours a month upwards. Drivers with relevant experience can also volunteer to drive the wheelchair accessible vehicle on trips. To find out more about the transport group, visit http://www.odctg.co.uk">www.odctg.co.uk or call the transport group on 01837 55000.