NEW transport schemes, aimed at helping people who live in and around the New Forest, have been launched.

A string of initiatives, some of which are the first of their kind in the UK, have been set up over the past four months. They were formally launched at Lyndhurst by Hampshire County Council's public transport sub-committee chairman Peter Hutcheson.

The projects include two taxi-sharing services, based around Lyndhurst, which take people from the more remote areas into centres where they can either spend an evening out or catch buses to Southampton or Bournemouth.

There are also a range of minibus schemes. One picks people up from their homes, and takes them shopping or to doctors' surgeries, another involves trips to Salisbury, Southampton or Bournemouth in the evenings and the third is a brokerage where many local groups have access to a pool of vehicles.

In addition, mopeds are being loaned out to help young people to get to work or training.

The services are being implemented and funded through the county council, New Forest District Council, New Forest Voluntary Service Council, Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority and the Countryside Agency through the Rural Transport Partnership Fund.

Mr Hutcheson said: "It is hoped that the new initiatives will benefit our rural residents who do not have their own transport, and assist them in using existing transport services. It is also hoped that these new schemes will help to prevent social exclusion in this rural area."