A NEW community minibus is getting rural residents out and about.

The Central Durham Community Transport project provides minibus hire for people in Bishop Middleham, Cassop, Chilton, Cornforth, Coxhoe, Ferryhill, Kelloe, Mainsforth, Quarrington Hill and the Trimdons.

The 16-seater bus, which is accessible to people with mobility difficulties, will be based at Cornforth Community Partnership, who will administer the service.

Stephen Metcalf, of the East Durham Rural Transport Partnership, said: "The project is an excellent example of local authorities and communities working in partnership to improve access to services. The commitment of people from each of the villages has made this project a reality."

Karen Lynn, Cornforth Partnership manager, said: "The villages covered by the scheme have limited facilities and if people don't have access to transport or can't use public transport they become isolated.

"The project will enable them to access a range of facilities they previously could not get to and will underpin the hard work of the communities to regenerate the villages."

The project, which is funded by the Countryside Agency, runs until 2006 and is supported by Sedgefield Borough Council and the Sedgefield SRB6 fund.