A CAR scheme for those unable to use public transport is under review in east Durham.

The Easington District Health Appointment Social Car Scheme was launched last July since then has drawn up a register of more than 200 users.

The scheme is being assessed by Easington Primary Care Trust, to judge its effectiveness.

It is available to anyone who lives in the Easington district, or who is registered with a GP and is unable to use public transport due to illness.

Although 63 per cent of the users are aged 71 to 85, the scheme has clients as young as six years and as old as 98.

There are 215 people registered on the scheme and project manager Rose Thompson estimates there will be 250 using the service by the end of next month.

The service is delivered mainly by volunteer drivers, using their own vehicles, but in some cases, taxi companies need to be used.

In addition to transport to GPs, dentists, hospitals, chiropodists and opticians, some of the users have transport each week to hairdressers, shopping, bingo, clubs, church, slimming clubs, colleges and simply visiting friends and families.

Over the months it has been running, clients have built up a rapport with drivers, who have become friends as well as service providers.

Leaflets describing the scheme have been distributed throughout the district, in particular to GP surgeries and libraries.

Anyone interested in joining the scheme or becoming a volunteer driver can contact Ms Thompson or Enid Lackenby on (01325) 304204.