A COMMUNITY car scheme has reached a milestone of carrying out 500 journeys.

Otter Wheels, Otterhampton parish’s volunteer scheme, has completed 500 journeys since it was created in June 2016.

The ‘lifeline’ service runs from Combwich, and serves rural communities Otterhampton, Steart and Stockland Bristol.

A spokesperson for the group says no bus services run in these areas.

He added: “Most journeys are for medical appointments to the local doctors surgery in Cannington, Bridgwater and Taunton hospitals, and sometimes as far as Bristol and Shepton Mallett.

“Other, more social, trips are also made.”

A small charge is made to cover expenses and those with a bus pass travel half price.

The charge is for the car, not the individual, so two or three people can travel for the same price.

Currently there are 14 drivers, three coordinators, plus a secretary, treasurer and chairman who all volunteer their time for free.