DISABLED and elderly people unable to use public transport are being given a lift by Eastleigh Community Services - courtesy of the generosity of the general public.

Proceeds from goods donated by local people to the popular Eastleigh Community Services (ECS) charity shop in the town's Market Street are being used to pilot a year's extension to the existing Dial-A-Ride service.

Eastleigh Dial-A-Ride has been operational since 1985 and does exactly what its name suggests.

People unable to use public transport are able to dial a dedicated number and book rides to the post office, their doctor's surgery or to go shopping.

Funded by Eastleigh Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, the scheme is managed by ECS which masterminds a huge network of voluntary work.

At present, two vehicles are operated six days a week and one on Sundays within Eastleigh borough with trips to Southampton city centre also being available three days a week.

From June 1 three vehicles will operate six days a week giving registered users of the door-to-door service greater opportunity to travel.

It is the first major extension to the service since 1996 and Dial-A-Ride user Pauline Wilson, who is disabled and lives in Eastleigh, has welcomed the move.

She said: "There are so many users registered with Dial-A-Ride and, with only two buses, sometimes it can be very difficult to book a journey. A third vehicle will make it so much easier to be able to get out and about."

Since March 1999 the ECS charity shop - opened to raise funds exclusively for residents of Eastleigh borough - has already handed out over £20,000 to local groups and organisations.

Now, a decision to plough £23,000 into the Dial-A-Ride pilot project has been taken by the ECS board of trustees. The cash will pay for the running costs of the third vehicle and a driver.

ECS head of transport and retail services Paul Rollison said: "This latest award to Dial-A-Ride will ensure that elderly/frail and disabled people within the borough will benefit from proceeds raised by local people for local people."

Eastleigh Dial-A-Ride has extended its booking hours to cope with demand. Contact the Dial-A-Ride office on 023 8090 2450.