PARISH councillors are hoping a scheme to give villagers better access to transport will be up and running by the start of next month.

Dene Valley Parish Council has accessed a £10,000 grant from the Countryside Agency, which will be available to individuals or community groups.

Chairman of the council Coun Chris Foote Wood said: "We're hoping to start that scheme up at the beginning of February when people will be able to get a 90 per cent grant for travelling. It could be used for things like shopping, going to the doctor's or dentist's, hospital, college, sports centres or out-of-school activities.

"People would pay a minimum of a pound and if the grants are authorised they would be reimbursed 90 per cent of the cost in broad terms."

"This is the first big project the parish council has undertaken. It's still not finalised yet, but we are very hopeful."