Croydon Accessible Transport Scheme, or CATS as it is known, will get drivers up to a recognised national standard in mini-bussing as part of its mission to get more chauffeurs to help out.

Registered charity CATS, which formed last month to take took over from Before and After Dark and Croydon Community Transport, provides transport for community groups, individuals and women in the evenings and wants to hear from anyone who is interested.

Special lessons are now running in MiDAS - the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme. Safety manager Allison Milward said: "It is important that any form of transport provided for the community is 100 per cent safe and this includes ensuring drivers receive the best possible training.

"We aim to support voluntary groups and organisations that wish to use our services by offering free training and assessments for their volunteers. This training includes an on-the-road practical assessment to establish the driver is competent and confident to drive larger vehicles safely and a theory-based session concentrating on areas such as defensive driving."

CATS also wants to hear from people interested in becoming passenger assistants. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. If you think you would like to volunteer call Allison on 020 8665 0861.