Tavistock and District Ring and Ride is celebrating its 21st year of providing its popular and much-valued service.

It started on June 11, 1990, operating just two days a week, bringing elderly and disabled passengers from outlying villages into Tavistock for shopping and to access community services. It was one of the first 'Ring and Ride' schemes to be set up in the county.

At first, it used a minibus owned by Tavistock and District Age Concern (now Tavistock Area Support Services) but the service proved so popular, it was soon operating four days a week with a second bus borrowed from Okehampton.

With passenger numbers continuing to grow, the Ring and Ride was presented with its own dedicated vehicle in June 1991 which then operated on five days a week — as the popularity of the service continued to increase, a second minibus was added in 1997.

The service was originally provided for the elderly and disabled who did not have access to public transport or found using it difficult but this has now been expanded to include the rurally isolated.

'Having been in on the inception of the Ring and Ride, I am really proud to still be a volunteer trustee all these years later,' said Peta Humphries.

'It is also pleasing that the service is still financially supported by our local authorities, which shows their commitment to community services.'

One of the many people who use the service is Betty Sweet from Tavistock: 'The service is absolutely vital to me. Without it I would be unable to get to and from the town centre to do my shopping.'

Fellow passenger Ernest Bigwood was also very grateful to the scheme and the staff who run it: 'I would be unable to get to and from the town on my mobility scooter because of the steep hill. I would be lost without this superb service.'

Today, the Ring and Ride service operates five days a week, from its office at 65 West Street and uses two dedicated minibuses to cover Tavistock and the surrounding villages. There is also a website http://www.tdltp.co.uk">www.tdltp.co.uk for further information.

The Ring and Ride is accessed by a passenger ringing the co-ordinator on 01822 618028 and requesting a journey. They will advise the passenger on which day the service operates in their area, and what time they will be collected.

The service is funded by Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, Tavistock Town Council, along with contributions from some parish councils. It is also supported by the many personal donations and bequests that have been made by grateful passengers.