RISING fuel prices are threatening the future of a local transport scheme which provides a lifeline to the most vulnerable in the community.

Ken Watherington, from the charity Ryecat, which offers affordable journeys for pensioners and the disabled, fears the service will crumble under the pressure of rocketing petrol costs.

Currently drivers claim 40p a mile to use their own cars to ferry passengers to appointments but as prices at the petrol pumps show no sign of slowing, many are contemplating giving up.

The head of the charity said if volunteers were given a higher mileage rate they would be heavily taxed.

Now he is joining other organisations to lobby ministers to raise the threshold in light of recent fuel increases.

He said: “This affects all community groups across the country not just Ryecat.

“If this situation continues then we will have no drivers left because they are losing money.

“The mileage rates have not risen since 2002 and it’s not fair that they or Ryecat should be out of pocket. These drivers provide an essential transport service and unfortunately many of them are on the verge of saying enough is enough.

“The Government needs to re-think its taxation policy because it is having a negative impact on a vital community services across the country.”

One of the many drivers who have been hit hard by rising fuel prices is retired sales manager John Cunningham.

The 70-year-old from Malton has been volunteering with the organisation for the past 10 years and has urged the Government to take action.

Currently the tax is levied on those claiming more than 40p a mile and he said this must be raised as fuel prices escalate.

He said: “This situation cannot continue. I volunteer as a driver as a way of helping the local community and I do it because I enjoy it. But we are getting to a stage where people are not getting enough back to cover their fuel costs.

“The Government must seriously look at the situation or volunteers will simply decide it’s not worth it.”

An online petition has been set up and anyone who wants to support the campaign should visit: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Voldrivers/