Volunteer drivers are desperately needed to help keep a vital bus service on the road.

Stockbury’s postbus was scrapped by the Royal Mail six years ago, leaving the village and surrounding areas with no public transport.

It was replaced by a community minibus service, run by volunteers, which was heralded as a crucial link for villagers.

Stockbury Parish Council chairman and volunteer driver Dave Tomsett said: “We have been running the bus that covers the parishes of Stockbury, Hartlip, South Green and Yelsted for four-and-a-half to five years.

“We’re on the line at the moment but trying desperately not to reduce the service,” - Dave Tomsett

“We started off with a team of nine volunteer drivers. At the moment we are down to four, which is going to make it a bit of a struggle.

“They are all volunteers and can only donate so much time a month.

“We’re on the line at the moment but trying desperately not to reduce the service.”

The bus runs three return trips a week: to Sittingbourne on Mondays, Maidstone on Tuesdays and Hempstead Valley on Wednesdays.

People have to join the community bus scheme and ring up to book a seat when they want to make a journey.

Mr Tomsett said: “We pick up from designated places, which most of the time is outside the house of the person.

“If we have enough drivers, it works out at about one morning a month.”

The number of volunteers has dwindled, mainly due to their age, said Mr Tomsett, with the insurance restricting it to those aged 25 to 69.

A driving role is open to anyone within the age range who is D1 class approved, which refers to most people who passed their driving test before 1997.

They also have to go on a one-day course run by Kent County Council.

Mr Tomsett said: “It’s putting something back into the community.

“Passenger numbers have increased – we can fit up to 14 passengers on board and sometimes we have a full bus.

“We have just negotiated a new five- to six-year contract with KCC for a new bus, so it’s a good time to get involved.”

To register interest in becoming a volunteer driver, send an email with your contact details to Mr Tomsett on dave@tomsettkent.com

For more on the bus service, call 07551 454702 or visit www.stockbury.org.uk