A CAR club which allows villagers to share the use of an electric vehicle is to be launched later this month.

The Derwent Valley Car Club will be officially launched at the Community Centre in Blackhall Mill, near Gateshead on January 28.

The club has won £47,500 funding from the National Lottery to buy a Nissan Leaf electric car to be used by people living in the area.

The funding will also pay for an electric charge point for the car and a public charge point, as well as solar panels to offset the electrical charging needed to run the vehicle.

Operated under the Blackhall Mill Community Association, the car will be available for just £5-an-hour, with no additional mileage fees.

The club is also looking for volunteer drivers to help people who cannot drive themselves.

For further information, please email Dvcarclub@yahoo.com or visit www.facebook.com/Derwentvalleycarclub.