An urgent plea has been issued for volunteer drivers who can serve as lifelines for people in Norfolk who struggle to get around.

And a 72-year-old who volunteers for the Travel Norfolk Car Scheme is leading the call to find more people like her who will get behind the wheel to help others.

The Norfolk County Council scheme sees volunteers drive people to health appointments, clubs and to get shopping.

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Passengers contribute 45p per mile towards the cost of the journey, plus any car parking fees.

Jeanne Heal, from North Walsham,  has volunteered for the scheme for the past 18 months.

She said: "I’ve always been committed to helping the community in north Norfolk, and having spent a lot of my working career in the area I know the challenges people face in getting around this rural part of Norfolk.

"I also love people and enjoy driving so this really is an ideal for me.

"As a volunteer driver, I enable people to keep various medical appointments, necessary shopping trips, visit relatives in hospital or care homes.

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"People can be anxious travelling, I enjoy chatting, listening to people and sharing experiences with passengers which seems to put them at their ease.

"Without the service, passengers have expressed that they would be unable to attend appointments.

"Every journey has been a pleasure, it is satisfying knowing that passengers feel safe during their journeys."

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Eastern Daily Press: Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructureGraham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure (Image: Jamie Honeywood Archant Norwich Norfolk)

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said:  "Our volunteers are invaluable and play a vital role in helping others across the county.

"We’re looking for more volunteers to support our Travel Norfolk Transport Schemes, so if you have some time to spare and feel that you could help, we’d really like to hear from you."

People interested in joining the scheme can learn more at www.norfolk.gov.uk/volunteerdrivers or by calling the Travel Norfolk Car Scheme at 0344 800 8020.