IT was all aboard on Monday morning, as the town's mayor took a trip on the Okehampton and District Community Transport Group bus.

Cllr the Rev Mike Davies visited the group to find out more about its work, and take a trip on one of its bus services.

He joined driver Mark Read as he drove people from Kent House Care Home in the town centre to Castle Ham Lodge to take part in a singing group.

The mayor said: 'The work done by the community transport group is important. It provides people with vital transport to hospital appointments, but also to social engagements and more.

'It's great to have the chance to ride aboard the bus and find out a bit more about what they do, and meet the people their service helps.'

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. On Saturdays it offers day trips for its clients.

Sue Wonnacott, transport group co-ordinator, said: 'It is good to have the mayor here today to show him our work.

'We are not just about taking people to hospital appointments and to the doctors. We are about improving the quality of life for many people, particularly the elderly. We help people get out and about, and make a big difference to their everyday lives.'

The group is always on the lookout for financial support, and new volunteers. Extra revenue would allow it to hire an administrative worker on Mondays, to provide more support for clients.

The organisation is also looking for drivers who live in Okehampton, Chagford and Halwill, though it always welcomes drivers from the wider area. It pays drivers 45p per mile and also indemnifies their no claims bonus and policy excess.

Volunteers can spare as much time as they like, from a couple of hours a month upward. 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 01837 55000.