A MAJOR car-sharing scheme to cut traffic jams has been launched in North Yorkshire.

Harrogate Car Share (HCS) takes in Harrogate itself, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham.

HCS is a free scheme linking drivers and passengers to share journeys.

The project has secured widespread backing from sources including Government funding agency Yorkshire Forward, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, transport groups, environmentalists and the Hornbeam Business Park in Harrogate.

Also backing the project is the Little Red Bus company, operated by Harrogate District Community Transport.

The theme of the district's car share project is: Beat the queues, travel in twos.

It is estimated that, if everyone in the district shared one journey a week, congestion could be cut by 20 per cent.

The new scheme is linked to a national database of car sharers which has more than 77,000 members.

Anyone can use the scheme if they travel through the district to reach work, shop or attend college.

A spokesman said: "You don't even need to own a car to register.

"People can register as a passenger and then search for a lift and you do not need to have access to the Internet to join."

For security reasons only members' first names, gender, age range and travel information can be accessed on the Internet.

Women can also search for other female sharers.

As part of the scheme, Hornbeam Business Park, which is running a green promotion, will be giving away two bikes and helmets in a competition each week for 14 weeks from Monday.

For more information, contact Angela Cleary at the Little Red Bus Company on (01423) 724555.