PAY-as-you-go cars are coming to Worcester in a bid to cut congestion and improve the city's environment.

Six vehicles fitted with low-emission engines will be dotted around the city centre at specified locations so people can pick them up and drop them off as and when they please.

The eco-friendly car club initiative will allow anybody aged between 21 and 75 holding a valid UK driving licence to pay from £4.95 an hour to use a car without actually owning one.

The hourly charge covers all driving expenses and bookings can be taken over the phone or by using the internet. However, anybody wanting to join the scheme must pay a one-off £25 membership fee and a £125 refundable insurance deposit. Members can access the cars with a smart card and PIN number.

WhizzGo members can book to use any of the company's cars anywhere in the country and there is no limit to how many cars the city could have if the scheme proves to be a success.

Similar schemes are already operating in major cities across England but it is the first time the initiative has been launched in a city the size of Worcester.

Car club operators WhizzGo (corr) will be launching the scheme in the next few weeks in conjunction with Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council.

Simon Whitehead, the county council's senior marketing and communications officer, said the idea of the scheme is to try and reduce the number of cars on the city's roads and promote walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing.

"People often use a second car for short journeys," he said. "Cars are a fundamental part of all our lives but we are seeing what we can do to use them more responsibly. A lot of the second cars people have tend to be old, have bad emissions and are not very fuel efficient. These brand new cars are very clean and if you're using those you will be reducing the impact you are having on the environment."

Mr Whitehead said businesses will also be allowed to use the silver Citroen C1 and C3 models as pool cars, and the county council has already put in a request to have two parked at County Hall, Spetchley.

The proposed locations for where the other cars will be parked are in St Swithun's Street, Farrier Street, Foregate Street, and Bransford Road. However, dedicated emergency spaces will also be made available at short-term car parks at Tallow Hill, St Martin's Gate, Cattle Market, Pitchcroft, Swan Pool Walk and King Street.

For more information call 08704 466000 or log on to www.whizzgo.co.uk