VOLUNTEERS are urgently needed to drive elderly and infirm patients to and from doctor appointments in Chester-le-Street.

Community Service Volunteers’ Retired Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) has run the area’s GP transport scheme, which serves four practices, for ten years.

It has issued an appeal for new helpers after the scheme co-ordinator and two drivers retired. For details call 0191-389 1155 or e-mail RSVPne@hotmail.com