A NEW £30,000 local transport scheme, including the first subsidised taxi scheme in Wiltshire, will be launched in Wootton Bassett next month.

The Countryside Agency funded initiative, called Transport4U, is set to transform the lives of people without cars in Wootton Bassett, Brinkworth and Tockenham.

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.

The three councils have been working together to decide upon the name of the scheme and design a logo, posters and a website in preparation for the launch.

Wootton Bassett councillor Olivia Thomas said: "We know people in rural communities suffer because of the lack of public transport or because the wrong type of transport is travelling at the wrong times.

"Hopefully a scheme such as this will allow people better movement around their communities which will in turn let them become more involved in all the different things going on within the community."

A phone line has already been installed for the information service and the final details are being drawn up to show who will be elegible for the taxi vouchers.

The car share scheme is being organised in conjunction with Community First which has helped establish around 40 other schemes in Wiltshire, most recently in Cricklade.

Around 30 volunteers will be required from within the three areas to act as drivers.

The scheme is based around the idea of a 'good neighbour' and will provide lifts for the elderly or disabled as well as helping out with small household tasks.

Coun Thomas said: "It's always hard to get volunteers but this is a really good opportunity for anyone who has ever felt that they wanted to get involved in the community but never really knew how."

The Wootton Bassett launch will be on May 21, the Tockenham launch will be on June 11 and the Brinkworth promotion on June 25.