CHILDREN have helped launch a village bus service.

Year one children from William Cassidi CE Primary School, in Stillington, near Stockton, caught the village bus to the nearby Castle Eden Walkway Country Park for a picnic on Thursday.

The 567 bus provides a regular service to Castle Eden near Thorpe Thewles, Stillington Forest Park and Hardwick Country Park, near Sedgefield.

With the summer holidays about to start the service will enable families to access the countryside easily and cheaply, as well as get involved in events at the parks.

It will also improve access to events such as the Billingham International Folklore Festival, which will be held next month, and activities held at Billingham Forum.

The service bus runs every two hours Monday to Friday, from 7am until 6.30pm.

It is a low floor bus to ensure that people with push-chairs or who have reduced mobility are able to access the service.

The service operates through the villages of Thorpe Thewles, Carlton, Redmarshall, Whitton, Stillington, Bishopton, Great Stainton, Mordon, Bradbury and Sedgefield.

Stockton, Darlington and Durham bus passes, including the student pass for 16 to 19-year-olds, will be accepted on the service and concessionary fares will apply.

Children under five travel free and children under 16 travel half price.

The service is the result of Stockton Borough Council's Rural Bus Challenge bid for £360,000 and is operated by Arriva.