A successful car share scheme says it’s a mystery why its Ledbury-based vehicle is not being used.

Malvern Hills Car Clubs (MHCC) has dozens of pay-as-you-go cars based in towns and villages around Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

And the scheme was given a £100,000 boost by Malvern Hills District Council earlier this year, funding the purchase of electric vehicles and the set-up of an online booking system.

With household budgets being stretched like never before, membership of the scheme has increased.

“However, there remains an unsolved mystery as to why the car that is located in Ledbury is not used frequently,” said MHCC secretary Tony Evans.

READ MORE: Malvern car-share club given £100k boost by council to cut carbon

Electric charging point in Ledbury's St Katherine's Car Park is being replaced

“There are already many members who live in Ledbury but, since the restrictions caused by Covid, the use of the car has not recovered to its previous levels.”

The car share scheme aims to encourage people to sell their second car or even not own a car at all, reducing the carbon footprint of the community.

Using a shared car is said to reduce the cost of motoring for individuals - especially for people who use a car fewer than three times a week.

'We would like to hear from Ledbury residents'

Mr Evans said the aims of MHCC are “extremely valid” today and will be increasingly valuable in the future. 

“If you don’t need to use a car regularly, like to have an emergency back-up or sometimes need a second car then membership of MHCC may suit you,” he said.

“We would like to hear from residents of Ledbury who would pay for their journey as they use the car and not worry about insurance, tax, breakdown cover, maintenance and repairs.

READ MORE: Car share scheme could free up parking spaces in Worcester suburb

“There is a small monthly membership fee and you can book a car online just when you need it.”

You can find more details at malvernhills-carclubs.org.uk or call 07706 365018.

MHCC currently has a white Nissan Note based in Ledbury and other vehicles in Malvern, Bransford, Colwall, Leominster, Kington, The Birches, Fownhope and Hereford.

A new car club has been set up in the Arboretum in Worcester - and is hoped to free up parking spaces in what is a congested part of the city.