THE future of an organisation which provides transport for disabled people could be saved thanks to local authority cash.

Dawlish Community Transport takes disabled people to hospital and dental appointments, to the supermarket and on days out.

Teignbridge District Council provides up to £10,000 of funding for the organisation and £14,000 comes from Devon County Council.

But the county council's funding is coming to an end, leaving the organisation facing closure unless more funds can be found.

At a meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee, councillors said the organisation would be given an extra £7,000 funding each year for the next three years to help it stay in business and, hopefully, expand.

It is hoped the extra funds will be matched by Devon County Council and NHS Devon.

Chairman of the organisation John Adcock said: "We are very worried about the funding.

"If the £14,000 does come to an end then there would be no way we could run the ring and ride without that money. It would be impossible.

"If local councillor Alan Connett has said we will get funding it is absolutely wonderful news."

The organisation takes about 12 wheelchair users to weekly hospital appointments and has a group day out every Tuesday.

It runs seven vehicles, including a bus which it leases, and has one paid driver.

Mr Adcock said: "We would like to provide outreach to villages and provide the service to those who don't have access to it."