A NEW community transport scheme has been launched to make it easier for Bordon, Headley and Liphook residents to get to the North Hampshire Hospital.

Community Transport for East Hampshire, based in the Forest Community Centre, has launched the service which involves a five-seater minibus providing door-to-door transportat for patients with appointments at the Basingstoke hospital.

The minibus, which has full wheelchair access, will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with patients able to make the return journey for £6.

Spokesman for the community transport organisation Lynne Peters said: "Journeys must be pre-booked and while every attempt will be made to tailor the timings to individual needs, some waiting may be unavoidable.

"Priority will be given to patients with hospital appointments, but any spare seats will be made available, at the same fare, to people visiting patients or using the Basingstoke Shopmobility scheme."

The scheme, which was funded by the Countryside Agency and Hampshire County Council, has also been extended to cover residents in Alton and villages between Alton and Bordon.

Roger Smith, who has been recruited to drive the minibus on the hospital run, said: "I am thrilled to be in at the start of what we are confident will be a valuable service for local people."

Anyone who wishes to make a booking for the hospital run should contact Lynne Peters or Terry Bunn on 01420 475759 between 10 am and 2 pm.