TWO RYEDALE town councils have agreed to give funding to support the volunteer bus service which operates in the North York Moors National Park.

The service, run by the Moorsbus Community Interest Companyy and the Friends of Moorsbus, organises fund-raising events and has extended its operations for the new tourist season this year to run each Saturday, Sunday and Monday to the end of September, said Eden Blythe, co-ordinator of the service.

“There will also be an extra service to Rosedale and Dalby Forest on Sundays and Bank Holidays including an early-start bus for the many walkers who stay in Pickering,” said Mr Blythe.

“We aim to bring benefits to Ryedale towns and parishes to help their communities from a social, environmental and economic point of view.”

Now, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering town councils have each agreed to give £400 towards the costs of this summer’s services and dozens of parish councils have also been asked to contribute towards the new extended service.

“The growth in our network is entirely due to more passengers, organisations and businesses chipping in. It costs around £400 a day to operate the service. Buses have been covering between 40 and 50 per cent of their costs from fares.” said Mr Blythe.