A NEW Saturday park-and-ride service has now launched in Darlington.

The new service began on Saturday and allows motorists to park at Darlington College on the outskirts of town and catch a bus into the centre.

The college has opened-up its pay and display car park to the public on Saturdays only so drivers can park for £1 all day and take advantage of a free bus into Darlington.

Drivers simply hand their parking ticket to the bus driver in exchange for return tickets to the town centre, covering them and up to four passengers.

Buses run every five minutes and it is hoped the partnership between Darlington Borough Council, Arriva and Darlington College will support town centre trade in the run-up to Christmas.

Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council said: “We’d like to thank the college for showing their support for Darlington and opening up their car park to the public.

“Saturdays are an important day for businesses in the run up to Christmas and we want to do all we can to encourage more people to come and shop in the town.”

The buses run from the college and stop at either Northgate, Prebend Rown or Tubwell Row.