A volunteer driver is demanding a higher mileage rate for taking patients to hospital in his people carrier.

Brian Eastoe, of Drayton, near Abingdon, said he could transport twice as many patients but was paid the same as people with standard cars.

Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust has agreed to look into mileage rates.

But Mr Eastoe said that when he first suggested an increase, he was told to give up driving patients if he did not agree with the payments.

Volunteer drivers relieve pressure on the ambulance service by taking elderly or frail people to hospital appointments or outpatients' clinics.

According to Mr Eastoe, volunteer drivers are paid a basic 28p per mile and are responsible for their own insurance costs.

Mr Eastoe, who drives a Renault Espace, can transport up to six patients, while most volunteers with cars take a maximum of three.

He said: "Twice recently I have taken six passengers, when most of the cars arrive with just two. Yet volunteers with people carriers are on the same mileage rate.

"I am not asking to be paid the cost of sending out two cars, but I would like the fact I can take extra passengers to be reflected in my mileage rate.

"The more people I carry, the greater the pressure on the engine and the more my mileage rate per gallon goes up."

Robert Seaman, director of operations for the Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust, said: "We intend to meet all our volunteer car drivers to look at the payment ratio for all categories to ensure a fair and equitable approach.

"The service provided by the volunteer drivers is extremely important to the community of Oxfordshire."