GAZETTE & HERALD: The shopmobility scooter scheme is back on track, with new operator Borough Parade being inundated with calls, from as far and wide as Frome and Cirencester.

The two battery-operated scooters will be available to shoppers in Chippenham again from today (Friday), after being off the road for six months, following operational wrangles.

The scooters had been in the basement at Emery Gate since September 2003, when the shopping centre said it could not operate the service.

A new shopmobility team of Borough Parade security staff and staff from confectioners Signature at Thorntons, have been putting the two scooters through their paces.

Dianne Moore, Signature manager, who will be taking bookings for the vehicles, said: "The scooters will be issued by two of the centre's security guards, but we were all learning how to operate them and information on health and safety matters, in case the guards are unavailable.

"The scooters have been checked and maintained so they are all ready for action."

They will be available to disabled shoppers from 9.30am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, on a booking-only system.

Mrs Moore said: "As far as I know, there were around 300 people registered with the scheme before it was halted.

"We have already had many calls about it starting up again. As well as the many shoppers living locally, there appear to be many disabled shoppers from outside the area wanting to come and shop here too."

Bookings can be made on (01249) 463100 or at Signature in Borough Parade.