A bus service linking Derwentside villages and towns has proved so successful it is being extended.

The South Derwentside Link 767 was launched in March as a six-month pilot to meet public demand.

So many people have used the service, which runs between Stanley and Consett, that it will now run during the winter.

Durham County Council and Derwentside District Council secured European Single Regeneration Budget and Neighbourhood Renewal funding for the service.

A fully accessible, 14-seat bus was bought for the service, which operates Monday to Saturday.

The county council, using a Rural Bus Grant and its own Rural Bus Challenge fund, is extending the pilot until March.

Chris Graham, the council's rural transport team leader, said: "We have been pleasantly surprised by the number of people using the service and the pilot has proved very successful.

"We now need to see if this pattern of use will continue over the winter months."

A number of community groups, including the South Derwentside Partnership, identified a need for improved services in some parts of Derwentside.

The 767 service was launched in response to requests for a bus route between Stanley and Consett, calling at villages including Burnhope, The Haven at Langley Park, where the service is used by a large number of older people, and Lanchester.