A MOTORIST is about to sacrifice his family car for the sake of the environment.

Geraint Roberts volunteered to have his beloved Volvo 740 squashed into a cube in exchange for a year's free bus and train travel.

It is a response to a campaign by Newport city council which aims to encourage people to use public transport.

Mr Roberts, 27, said it was a difficult decision to make as the G-reg car held so many fond memories.

"It's only worth about £500 and has 120,000 miles on the clock but it has been in the family since 1990," he said.

"It has certainly been around and I have good memories of it being used for family trips to West Wales."

Mr Roberts decided to ditch the motor after buying a Renault Clio from his girlfriend, Rhian, 26.

The couple currently have three cars between them.

"Three cars is just too many," he said. "My girlfriend's all for it because it will clear a space but I will have a tear in my eye when I watch it being crushed even though I know it's good for the environment."

Mr Roberts, a community transport researcher for the council, said he would use the free travel to go back and forwards from work.

And the local authority is hoping other people will also see the incentive of taking up the offer which has been organised as part of European Mobility Week.

This aims to raise awareness about the benefits of using public transport.

"Even one less car on the road will be a good thing," said a council spokesman.

Martin Dolan, of transport planning consultants Capita Symonds, which is helping with the campaign, is confident it will be a success because a similar idea in Edinburgh, which offered no incentive, saw around 20 motorists having their vehicles destroyed.

"I've already had five to six people calling in expressing an interest," he said.

"Congestion in Newport can be horrific at times - people can help stop this by using public transport."

Any vehicles put forward must be roadworthy with a valid MoT certificate. People will be able to enjoy free transport on all services provided by Newport Transport and Arriva Trains Wales for a year.