AN NHS ambulance service is appealing for volunteers to drive patients to hospital appointments.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust said it was aiming to increase the number of volunteer drivers from 80 to about 250 by spring to enable it to extend the service to more patients.

Its Volunteer Car Service clocked up more than 500,000 miles last year helping patients attend outpatient and clinic appointments.

A trust spokesman said: “The scheme offers the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, face new challenges and gain experience volunteering in the NHS.

"Many of our volunteers have made life-long friends through their work at the trust and list meeting new people and doing something worthwhile to help others as some of the key benefits of getting involved.”

Volunteers need to be aged 18 or over, hold a full UK driving licence with no more than three penalty points, have access to a car with four doors and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service and occupational health checks.

Full training is provided and volunteers are reimbursed for the cost of miles covered.

For details, visit yas.nhs.uk/Volunteering or call 01924-584019.