A VOLUNTEER transport service is calling for more drivers as "huge demand" has seen it take more than 1,000 extra bookings in a year.

Volunteer Connect supports vulnerable adults across north Oxfordshire, taking them to medical appointments, family visits and food shopping.

But the 60-driver service is facing increasing pressure as the number of bookings continues to grow, particularly in Bicester.

Manager Pip Dealtry said the town’s rapid growth is a big factor.

She said: "We are doing so many journeys that we need more drivers, especially in the Bicester area.

"It is a combination of things such as the cutting of bus subsidies that are coming into affect now, the hospitals last year also tightened their criteria for who is eligible for hospital transport and Bicester is such a growth area.

"Bicester has a lot of new houses and people are moving in along with their elderly families alongside those who have lived here all their lives who are now ageing.

"There is also new sheltered housing being built – all in all, there is huge demand."

The volunteer driving service is funded by Cherwell District Council and based at the Banbury Citizen’s Advice Bureau covering Bicester, Banbury and surrounding villages.

In the last financial year, Volunteer Connect – which has been running for four years – made more than 4,400 journeys, up from the previous year's 3,300.

There are currently 60 volunteer drivers signed up with around 45 "active drivers" working on an "as-and-when" basis.

Ms Dealtry said the trips often include Oxfordshire’s hospitals, but drivers also make frequent trips to GP surgeries such as Montgomery House in Bicester.

She added: "There is huge demand and it is always increasing year on year so we always need more drivers.

"Many of these people would have no way of getting to these important hospital appointments without us and you hear about how it costs the NHS a huge amount of money for no-shows, so if we can help them save also.

"We help people get to important appointments which they other would not be able to access such as they can’t get to public transport for whatever reason."

The service is available to people any age who do not have their own means of transport, but caters largely for the elderly.

As the numbers of users continues to rise, the service is calling on communities across north Oxfordshire to get in touch and sign up.

Drivers can donate their time as often as they like and although done on a volunteer basis are given 45p per mile for their journeys.

If you can help the service by becoming a volunteer driver please contact pip.dealtry@volunteerconnect.org.uk or 0300 3030125