A FREE park and ride scheme for staff at Great Western Hospital has been mothballed after a lack of interest from its intended users.

The £30,000 scheme was designed to free up around 200 staff parking spaces a day so patients would find it easier to park.

But the Adver understands that just five people showed up to use the service when it launched yesterday - one being chief executive of Great Western Hospital NHS Trust Lyn Hill-Tout.

A consultation with staff is due to be set up to find a long-term solution to the increasing demand for car parking at the hospital site.

Great Western Hospital has yet to comment.