WEST Devon motorists who are over the age of 50 are being urged to take to the road in an effort to double the amount of volunteer drivers in the county.

The ?Drive for Drivers? campaign is being run by the Experience Corps, a Home Office-backed organisation which encourages those over the age of 50 to share their lifetime of skills to the good of their local community.

The campaign has also been backed by Devon County Council and more than 20 transport groups.

Although around 3,000 drivers already donate time to transport isolated or vulnerable members of the community, demand still outstrips supply ? for example, more than 2,000 trips to hospitals are made each day by volunteer drivers.

Nick Tobin, the Experience Corps? operational director for the West of England, said: ?I am sure there are literally thousands of over-50s throughout the county who would gain a great deal by giving just a few hours of their time each week to drive people around.

?However, I believe that many would-be volunteers are put off because they think it would be difficult to arrange and many more have never even considered it.?

Cllr David Morrish, Devon County Council?s environment portfolio holder, said: ?Transport among those who are isolated and vulnerable is a problem throughout the country but in Devon it can often be very difficult.

?At the moment there is a great network of drivers, but more are always needed. We hope through a ?Drive for Drivers? we will be able to spread the message of how appreciated these volunteers will be, and how easy it is for them to give their time through the Experience Corps? campaign.?

Anyone who has a clean, full driving licence can act as a volunteer driver, either using their own car or transport provided by an organisation. The Experience Corps has put together an information pack for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver.

Call freephone 0800 10 60 80 or visit http://www.experiencecorps.co.uk">www.experiencecorps.co.uk to find out more.