LUDLOW could be a front-runner in an innovative move to take old bangers off the street.

Plans are being put together to see if enough Ludlow residents are interested in starting a car club.

The club will allow members to go to a central and secure car park in the town and use a new vehicle for a shopping trip or other journey.

The scheme is used extensively on the Continent but only in a handful of British cities. If there is enough interest in Ludlow, it could also be extended to Clun.

Linda Cox, manager of Transport for Everyone in South Shropshire (TESS), plans a meeting in Ludlow next month to gauge support.

A local club might use three vehicles, a small town car, a larger saloon and a people carrier, which would be available through rental with a major manufacturer. Members would pay an annual fee, possibly around £100, as well as two other charges of around £2 an hour and 10p a mile.

"It's still cheaper than the depreciation, use and insurance and MOT and tax on an old banger," she said. "In addition, new cars are more environmentally conscious and, as emissions are less noxious, they are safer."

What makes the scheme different to using a cab is that car club members drive the vehicles themselves.

"We need 12 members to make one car viable and 20 if we have two. If people want to use the car for a whole day, we would charge them and it would work out quite expensive," said Linda Cox.

TESS has also looked at bringing in Clun as a satellite operation. Colin Pendry, who represents Clun on South Shropshire District Council, likes the idea.

"If successful, this could provide access to all manner of vehicles at a very small cost to the members," he said.

"How many of us own a car but use it rarely? How many of us run, or would like to run a second, or even a third car but cannot afford anything other than an old banger?

"This way, you can dump the banger and ride in a brand new motor car for a fraction of the price."

In Britain, the concept is established in Bristol and Edinburgh. A scheme is also being set up in the Yorkshire fishing town of Whitby and is being planned in Southwark, London.

Among the questions likely to be posed in Ludlow is how usage would be co-ordinated, what steps would be taken to make sure vehicles are not misused or vandalised and whether they would be kept in a saafe place at all hours.

Another is what would happen if more than three members want a car at the same time.