DISABLED and elderly people living in a remote part of South Ribble are set to vote for a unique scheme to get them out and about.

Determined residents from Much Hoole, Hutton and surrounding areas claim they have trouble going places - including getting transport to nearby Chorley hospital - after a bus service to Leyland was stopped.

They are meeting councillors and representatives from other organisations on Monday (December 1) to discuss the possibility of setting up a remarkable community car scheme.

Under the project - which residents hope would be backed by Lancashire County Council - ordinary car owners can volunteer to help by driving people to their destination, or the nearest bus stop.

County Councillor Keith Young, who represents the area, said: "This could be a very interesting way forward so we can help people particularly the elderly and disabled.

"The other important issue here is that we have patients who want to get to Chorley Hospital - at the moment they have to somehow get into Preston then get a bus to Chorley."

Coun Young called for NHS funds to help get the scheme up and running, he said: "When the hospital was coming in to being, the authorities promised they would try and do something about transport problems here. People are now expecting them to honour what they said."

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said the scheme would be considered at the public meeting at Hutton Grammar School at 7.30pm.

He said: "This scheme will be discussed along with other matters. We have to look whether it will be worthwhile or not."

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