A transport service for people with mobility problems has picked up 3,500 passengers since starting work earlier this year.

Charity and social enterprise Aspire took over the running of Oxford's dial-a-ride service from Oxfordshire County Council in April.

The door-to-door service is used by people who are mobility impaired and are unable to use, or do not have access to, other forms of public transport such as buses.

The county council handed Aspire a two-year-contract to run the service instead of it being run directly by the local authority in an attempt to cut costs.

Aspire was also given a £74,500 grant to help with running costs in the first year of operation.

County council cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith said: "I’m delighted to see the success of Aspire’s dial-a-ride service in Oxford.  

"There are already 62 community transport schemes in Oxfordshire and we are actively encouraging more to be developed."

Charities could soon start running dial-a-ride services in other parts of the county as the county council looks to save the £260,000 a year it currently spends on the service.