MOTORISTS in Minehead are being offered a money-saving carbon-reducing option to owning a car.
The environmental group Forum 21 is behind the launch of the Minehead Car Club, which was officially unveiled in the town's Wellington Square last weekend.
The vehicle sharing scheme, which typically can save members at least £1,000 a year, will offer people access to a car for a few hours, an evening or a weekend.
All fixed costs, including tax and insurance, are covered by the club, with members paying only only a "per hour and per mile" rate.
Forum 21 spokeswoman Louise Evans said: "A lot of people need a car to visit family and friends or to go shopping but don't want the hassle of insurance and repairs.
"A car club gives all the convenience and allows people to save money for more exciting things."
The club's first vehicle, a Citroen C3 Desire, will be based in central Minehead and club members will be able to book it online or by phone, drive it and return it as little or as often as they wish.
Bill Butcher, chairman of the Climate Action West Community Interest Company, which is running the club for Forum 21, said car clubs were getting very popular in cities like London, Bristol and Exeter.
He said Minehead was one of the first rural initiatives, although Dartmoor had a thriving club also run on a community, non-profit basis.
"Car club membership has seen explosive growth across the country over the last 12 months and we're very pleased to be able to offer this service in West Somerset," said Mr Butcher.
"Our research in Minehead has shown considerable interest in the idea and we were pleased with the response to the launch.
"We believe it will prove very popular and will look to extend it to other communities, such as Watchet and Williton, over the next few years."
Mr Butcher said car clubs were a sustainable form of transport, replacing five or six cars and also encouraging members to walk, cycle and make more use of public transport.
"People looking to reduce their carbon emissions and save money will find it attractive," he said.
"Some people will find it works for them to sell the second household car and join the car club instead.
"Having a car sitting in the drive most of the time is not good use of what is for most people their second most expensive asset, especially when running costs keep going up."
The membership and booking service will be run by the community transport scheme AtWest, who can be contacted on 01643 707090.
More information on the scheme is available at http://www.mineheadcarclub.com">www.mineheadcarclub.com