A COMMUNITY bus service is in ‘urgent’ need of volunteer drivers.

The Upton Shuttle offers transport to people across Upton and Malvern every Friday.

It brings residents from Welland, Ryall and Naunton into Upton and also stops at several points around the town.

The mini-bus used by the service is borrowed from Community Action, in Malvern, and is wheel-chair accessible.

Simon Wilkinson, the co-ordinator of the Upton Shuttle, said: “It’s largely older passengers who can’t easily access public transport that we pick up.

“We collect them from their front doors if necessary and deliver them back to their front doors.

“In Naunton the buses have been cut off completely. There are no bus services in The Hook or in Greenfields.

“Taking Naunton off the main bus routes in September has made us busier. The numbers have gone up.”

The 77-year-old said their recent extension of the service to Naunton has been greatly appreciated by residents.

“It’s a question of being able to look after people,” he added.

Mr Wilkinson said they have six volunteer drivers but need more for reasons of flexibility.

“On average one drives every six weeks. We need more because the drivers are not always available. They have other things to do,” he said.

Around 15 to 20 passengers use the bus every Friday to do a variety of things, from visiting cafes to shopping.

Volunteer drivers must have a full driving license and a mini-bus entitlement to get involved.

Passengers are charged 50p for a single fare or £1 for a return, and are driven back one-and-a-half hours after arriving in Upton.

Arrangements can be made for people off the main route by ringing Upton Town Council, which looks after the shuttle’s accounts, on Thursdays on 01684 592273.

Passengers can also ring Simon Wilkinson on 01684 592894.

The shuttle also receives grants from the parish councils in the areas that it serves.