A CHARITY in Northwich is celebrating after it was given the green light to drive a lifeline transport service through to its 30th anniversary.

Cheshire Community Development Trust (CCDT) has won the contract to deliver community transport services in the Vale Royal area for five years from April.

This includes Dial a Ride, Evening Safe Transport, Rural Ride and Community Car Schemes.

Arthur Neil, CCDT chief executive, said: "We are delighted with this success.

"We began the Northwich Dial a Ride service back in 1989 and now have approaching 2,000 members.

"The service provides accessible transport door-to-door for those who find it hard to use ordinary buses or get to a bus stop.

"Last year we were pleased to be asked to take on some additional rural work using the rural rider service and that too has been successful."

More than 60 per cent of Dial a Ride users are aged 80 and above and almost half the total users use the service at least once a week.

A total of 65 per cent use the service for shopping while more than 36 per cent of users rely on it to get them to appointments.

More than 94 per cent praise the drivers for being helpful.

Cllr Don Beckett, CCDT chairman, said: "This is a vital service for many in our local community.

"It enables people who might otherwise be housebound to get out and about, do their shopping and meet friends without relying on friends or family for transport.

"We are thrilled to have won the contract for the next five years but won’t be sitting on our laurels.

"In a month or two we will be undertaking our annual member survey and asking for suggestions on how we can keep improving what we offer."

For more information about community transport services across Northwich and Winsford ring 01606 784100.