A SPECIAL taxi service will help relatives visit their loved ones in hospital over Christmas.

GMPTE's transport network committee is funding the service on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Although there will be the usual reduction in services between Christmas and New Year, GMPTE officers have liaised with bus, rail and tram operators to make sure needs of public transport users are met.

Cllr Allen Brett, chair of the transport network committee, said, "I am particularly pleased that the authority will be able to provide this free door-to-door service for the seventh year in a row."

He added, "I would urge all passengers to make full use of the information available to them in advance of their journeys over the Christmas period, either by telephoning the public transport information line, looking at GMPTE's website or visiting GMPTE travelshops."