Portland Rotary Club today made a last ditch appeal to save their car service which takes people to hospital.

The service, which the club organises, relies on local drivers offering their services voluntarily to take Portlanders to visit relatives in the area's hospitals in return for a small mileage payment.

Club chairman Geoff Barter said: "It is intended mainly for the elderly or infirm who have no other means of transport.

"Unfortunately our numbers have slowly fallen and without new blood the service will be forced to close early next year."

He added that the service makes up to 100 trips to hospitals per year, saving passengers all the problems associated with an elderly person trying to make a hospital visit.

Mr Barter said: "Some of the burden we shouldered has been taken from us by improved bus services, but that still leaves a hard core of senior citizens who neither have their own transport or live near a bus route.

"This is where we come in and our drivers collect such people from their home, take them to whatever hospital is involved, wait there for them during the visit and then bring their passenger back home."

He added that the Rotary Club's special trips to hospital had been running locally for more than ten years.

He said: "It would be a great shame to see this all end for the sake of a few new drivers, but that is what we are facing unless new volunteers come forward."

If you can help Portland Rotary Club's hospital delivery service, or you would like more information about it, phone Mr Barter on (01305) 821241.