PLANS for a vehicle-sharing scheme in County Durham will be unveiled this week.

Durham County Council hopes voluntary and community organisations, schools, colleges and councils will take part in the scheme to boost the amount of public transport.

And it is hosting a seminar called Working Together, at its headquarters in Durham City, on Wednesday.

The council said the event would interest anyone involved in the community and voluntary transport sector and representatives of groups or individuals who have transport needs.

Speakers will give presentations on community car schemes and car clubs, as well as proposals for a travel response centre and the vehicle-sharing scheme.

Councillor Bob Pendlebury, who will open the event, said: "The aim of the new response centre and vehicle-sharing scheme is to integrate a number of projects which operate mopeds, community cars and minibuses.

"This will then free up transport that might not be fully utilised at present for the benefit of community groups across the county."

The county has about 89 operators of not-for-profit minibuses, who have more than 200 vehicles.

They include schools, community transport organisations, Scout groups, social services, ambulance services, colleges and councils.

The vehicle-sharing scheme will offer them extra income through vehicle hires to other organisations, access to back-up transport in case of breakdowns, minibus driver training for volunteers. better publicity and increased use of vehicles.

The event will be held from 9.30am to 1.30pm at County Hall.

Funding for the vehicle-sharing scheme has been provided by Durham County Council and the Countryside Agency.