AN INNOVATIVE car sharing club - which helps members save money by hiring low cost vehicles by the hour - has nearly doubled in size since it was launched in Redbridge last year.

Nearly 400 people are now signed up to Redbridge Car Club, which has ten vehicles parked at designated bays across the borough which members can book on an hourly, daily or weekly basis according to their needs.

Using ground-breaking technology, each driver is given a key fob which opens the doors of a car that has been previously booked online - before a secret PIN number is entered on a control panel to gain access to the keys in the glove box.

Several bays are located in the west of the borough, including outside Wanstead Library, opposite Cherry Tree Cafe in Woodbine Place and at Snaresbrook tube station.

Sadie Joy, of New Wanstead - who has been a member of the club for nearly a year - said it has saved her and her partner Chris hundreds of pounds, and encouraged them to use peddle power for short journeys.

She said: "It's been brilliant.

"Our old car finally died about a year ago, so we decided to join the club, and it's worked out really well for us.

"It's been really cost effective. Like a lot of people we only really used the car now and again and it was just sitting there most of the time.

"Now we just book the club car online for when we want it and that's it.

"We tend to use the it when we want to make longer journeys. Now we just cycle to the supermarket with rucksacks."

The 35-year-old HR manager said she has been impressed by the attitude of other club members.

She said: "Everyone treats the cars like they were borrowing them from a friend - so they look after them.

"There was one time when the person using the car we had booked was ten minutes late, and we got a big refund which was nice."

Brett Akker, co-founder of Streetcar - which runs the scheme - said: "We are thrilled at Streetcar’s rise in popularity in Redbridge and are looking forward to working with Redbridge Council to bring the service closer to more residents.

"It’s clear that both the recession and the rising cost of owning a car are encouraging people to look for money-saving alternatives. With Streetcar members saving an average of £160 a month by joining the scheme, we are seeing significant numbers opting to sell their own vehicles in favour of our service."

Prices start at £3.95 per hour or £49.50 per day.

To register visit: streetcar.co.uk or call: 0845 644 8475.