A NEW-look social car scheme will be hitting the roads of West Somerset next month when Atwest - Accessible Transport West Somerset - takes over the community car scheme previously run by Engage West Somerset.

All the Engage voluntary drivers will transfer with the service and will continue to offer Minehead residents a bookable service to Musgrove Park and other Somerset hospitals, as well as trips to health professionals and other vital journeys.

The scheme will be rebranded as Minehead Community Cars and will come under the administration of Atwest from September 1.

Katrina Midgley of Engage said: "We are delighted that Atwest is taking on the co-ordination of the social car scheme.

"Atwest will be able to offer a much more flexible service to people unable to access traditional public transport."

Disabled passengers will also be able to make the most of the scheme through the use of a specially adapted, wheelchair-friendly vehicle.

Brian Worrall, Atwest manager, said he was pleased to add the social car scheme to Atwest's existing tally of community-based transport.

He said: "We are already members of the West Somerset Car Scheme Partnership, which also does thousands of journeys through social car groups in most of the local districts.

"We are keen to add this provision to what we do as we have not been able, until now, to provide individual journeys outside of West Somerset.

"We're hoping to attract more voluntary drivers who are willing to drive people in their cars to hospital et cetera and would be pleased to hear from anyone who is keen to do this."

Prospective volunteer drivers, either using their own car and being paid expenses or using an Atwest MPV, can find out more information by phoning 01643 709701.

Existing social car passengers will be transferred to Minehead Community Cars, while new passengers can register their interest on the above number.