Saltash has a brand new Hopper bus – all set for a dedicated service to Derriford Hospital.

The new £40,000 vehicle, a 16-seater minibus with wheelchair access, was funded by a Government grant obtained by the Saltash Gateway Community Interest Company (CIC).

The CIC has also raised £2,000 towards the cost of the bus, and the vehicle has been converted for community use by GM Coachwork Group.

It is hoped the new Derriford Hospital service will start by the end of October and will run five times a day.

The CIC will need to employ paid drivers, said chairman Peter Thistlethwaite.

Those who wish to use the service will need to sign up with a Travel Club through the CIC.

The organisation also needs £10,000 to get the service going and underwrite any losses to March 2017, and Saltash Town Council has given its backing to a bid for Section 106 money, allocated to the town by Waitrose and Lidl, to cover these costs.

The existing Hopper bus will continue in service in the town, and can be hired by local groups and organisations.

The CIC says it is always keen to hear from volunteer drivers.