A TRANSPORT scheme to help isolated and infirm people could soon be set up in a community near Darlington.

Hurworth Parish Council has agreed in principle to the creation of a transport scheme for the village.

It would provide those residents who need the service with transport from their homes to their nearest bus stop.

The idea behind the initiative is to ensure that everyone in the village is able to take advantage of bus links to gain access to nearby towns.

The parish council is considering how it can set up the scheme with help from the Countryside Agency, which provides grant support for villages wanting to give their residents easier access to buses.

The grant scheme allows parish councils to apply for up to 75 per cent of the cost of setting up a local transport service.

A spokesman for the parish council said: "We need to investigate the demand for a proposed transport scheme, which primarily would focus on assisting those members of the community who, for whatever reason, do not readily have access to and from the bus route, or because of disability are unable to carry shopping to their home.

"In the main, this is likely to be female members of the community, who have become the only family members, and who in the past did not need to be able to drive.

"Changing circumstances, such as the loss of their spouse, has meant a loss of independence and a reliability on others to undertake these tasks for them.

"The introduction of a scheme allowing access to and from the bus route would allow a return of their independence and a feeling of well-being rather than a burden."

A minibus service is already operated in the village, but a shortage of volunteer drivers means it provides an irregular service.

The parish council is considering making a contribution to pay for the provision of a permanent driver for the minibus service as part of the new transport scheme.

Before the council can approach the Countryside Agency for support, it must prove there is a demand for the service.

It is planning to conduct a survey to find out who would use the bus and if they would be prepared to pay a small fee for it.

The council spokesman said: "We now need further investigations into how we can establish a scheme in the parish.