GEOFFREY Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon will be launching the North Tamar Community Tran­sport Group's Hospital Hoppa on Friday, June 5.

The Community Trans­port Group will soon be starting a six month trial service to establish if there is demand for hospital transport at a subsidised cost. If there is insufficient use of the service it will not continue beyond the period of the trial.

The 'Hoppa' will take patients and hospital visitors from Holsworthy to North Devon District Hospital, via Torrington, and back again. A return journey will cost £10 and a single journey will cost £5.

The 14 seater wheelchair accessible minibus will make four trips per day, from Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays and will pick up people from Holsworthy Hospital and the bus shelter. The volunteer car service will be available in the Holsworthy area to take people to and from the pickup points.

Martin Prentice from the Transport group said: "I believe this service will be welcomed by the general public and will fill a significant gap in the transport system but it needs to be used for it to continue beyond the trial period."

The pilot is being funded by Devon County Council's Transport Department with the exception of £2,000 which has been contributed by several local Torridge District Councillors from their grant allowances.

For more information about the service contact the transport association on 01409 259001 from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday or you can email [email protected]">[email protected]