A VOLUNTEER car scheme for Bacup, Stacksteads and Whitworth is now being organised by area co-ordinators.

The County Cars Bacup and Whitworth Car Scheme provides a lifeline service for people in the area who do not have their own transport and find using public transport difficult or impossible.

Volunteers use their own cars to provide transport and more than 4,500 trips are made each year.

Unfortunately the present co-ordinator Roger Butterworth has had to resign the post on health grounds and now three area co-ordinators have been set up.

In Bacup contact Mrs Barbara Law 01706 877878, in Stacksteads Ken Bowden 01706 873042 and in Whitworth George Crank on 01706 873042.

Graham Harding, environment director for Lancashire County Council said: "I am sorry Roger Butterworth has had to withdraw from co-ordinating this scheme and I thank him for the valuable contribution he has made to it and to the lives of the many people in the Bacup and Whitworth area.

"I am delighted three people have come forward to co-ordinate the scheme and thank them for volunteering."

He said they were always looking for more drivers and anyone who can help can contact the local co-ordinator.