16186/1A new £30,000 local transport scheme, including the first subsidised taxi scheme in Wiltshire, will be launched in Wootton Bassett on Saturday.

The Countryside Agency funded initiative, called Transport4U, is a three-part project aimed at helping those without cars in Wootton Bassett, Brinkworth and Tockenham.

The three councils have been working together in preparation for the launch which will see a decorated taxi join the Wootton Bassett Carnival procession on Saturday.

Chairman of Tockenham Parish Council Michael Knight said: "We're very pleased about the start of this scheme because it's taken a while to get going and it will help support what we've already got.

"We have the Boomerang scheme, but that only goes as far as Wootton Bassett, whereas this scheme will take people further afield to places like the hospital.

"We've been given the initial funding to set this up and we're hoping that in due time this will be self supporting."

The three-part project includes a taxi voucher scheme, a community car share scheme and an information service based in the Wootton Bassett Council offices.

Speaking about the taxi scheme, chairman of Brinkworth Parish Council Owen Gibbs said: "I believe it's the first of its type in the county and we've been looking forward to this for a long time.

"There are people in our parish who are disabled or elderly and it will be a much better situation for them to help them get out and do their shopping or visit the dentist or doctor."

People will be able to apply for the taxi vouchers from Monday by contacting the service on (01793) 848737 or visiting the Wootton Bassett council offices on the High Street.

Transport4U also has its own website www.transport4U.org where people can get more information. Volunteers for the community car share part of the scheme still need training and a management team formed.

Tockenham will hold a launch local to their area on June 11 and Brinkworth on June 25.