WEST DORSET: A couple from West Dorset have launched a new online, community delivery service that they believe will become a UK-wide success.

Creators Nicholas and Georgie Bailey say that deliveryfolk.com solves the problem of transporting odd items and helps people earn cash from journeys they would be making anyway.

The husband-and-wife team from Marshwood Vale believe their idea will become a countrywide success.

The crowd-sourced service puts people with large, awkward or difficult-to-post items in touch with motorists who can deliver them as part of their normal journeys.

Senders agree a price directly with the carrier. Delivery Folk pays carriers when the delivery has been made.

Potential carriers register online at deliveryfolk.com, where senders can post details of the tricky items they need to move.

The idea came after Nicholas, who is a keen collector of old agricultural equipment, found he had trouble finding a cost-effective way of transporting bulky or unusually shaped items through normal carrier companies.

He said: “Getting those items back can be really costly and it has always frustrated me, so I came up with the idea of Delivery Folk.

“I am convinced there are people who are already doing that same trip, who could pop it in their car or van and at the same time they will get help with the cost of their journey.

“Delivery Folk can make that happen.

“People can connect through the website, negotiate a fair price in a friendly way and have direct contact with their carrier on the best time and location for delivery.”

Delivery Folk verifies credit card details and email addresses of both parties and releases the payment once the sender has confirmed delivery.

With an initial launch in the Bridport area, potential carriers are being encouraged to register through the website, while people with objects to send can enter details and search for a carrier.

Nicholas added: “This certainly isn’t about replacing the commercial parcel delivery services, or Royal Mail.

“It’s about building a community of people who want to get things done simply, or who would like to earn some extra money for a journey they are making anyway.”