A CAR share scheme has been launched to help people in Ludlow and south Shropshire cut their costs and help the environment.

For many in Shropshire there is no easy alternative to using the car but now there is an easier way to take the sting out of the cost of driving.

Shropshire Council has launched ‘Shropshare’; a new county-wide car share initiative which is free to join and use for individuals and organisations alike.

They say that car sharing is simple in the sense of doing so with people who live near and travel to similar places at around about the same time.

It cuts the cost of fuel and parking, reduces carbon footprint and makes travelling more sociable.

According to the council travelling alone in a car costs five times as much per mile as travelling to New York.

“We already have businesses successfully using the ‘Shropshare’ website but the key to the schemes success is getting lots of individuals to sign up and start car sharing,” said Clare Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and Transport.

"The ‘Shropshare’ system is very flexible so whether you work shifts, make a journey into town once a week, or commute every day it will look for members who match your travel times and preferences.

"You don’t have to own a car; non-drivers can register and car share as passengers. Businesses and other organisations can set up their own private group to make it easy for employees or members to search for matches within the organisation.”

To sign up visit www.shropshare.co.uk, click on the ‘register’ tab and follow the instructions.