Tavistock and District Ring & Ride has said goodbye to driver Tom Gray after many years of service.

Tom first started driving for Devon County Council and joined Ring & Ride when the service was able to expand to two minibuses thanks to funding from Tavistock Town Council.

He continued to drive for the service even after he 'retired' from the county council and will be much missed by colleagues and all his regular passengers.

Tom (on left) is pictured being thanked by Tavistock and District Local Transport Partnership chairman Stephen Fryer, with (left to right) trustee David Best , R&R co-ordinator Paul Reed, R&R driver Simon Hall and trustee Peta Humphries.

The local transport partnership is looking for volunteers to help with future projects and to assist with the running of the Ring & Ride. Volunteer drivers are especially needed to cover for holidays etc, for the Ring & Ride drivers. Full training to county council standard is available.

Ring & Ride operates two, disabled access, minibuses on routes in and around Tavistock. The service is available to older people, the disabled or those who are rurally isolated and have difficulty accessing public transport. Passengers pre-book their trip on the bus, which collects and returns to them to their door. Both minibuses are fitted with wheelchair lifts.