VILLAGES left cut off from nearby towns by rapidly shrinking bus services have won a reprieve – following the launch of a new community bus service.

The minibus service will link Maltby, near Ingleby Barwick, and Hilton and Kirklevington, near Yarm, with both Thornaby and Yarm.

The new service will run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Stockton Borough Council launched the free service yesterday (Thursday, November 30).

The vehicles can seat between eight and 16 passengers.

There are removable seats to allow passage for people with limited mobility, with space for up to three wheelchairs.

Councillor Mike Smith, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Mike Smith, said: "We already operate a similar service in other parts of the borough and have seen how much it is valued by communities.

"We are really pleased to be able to provide it for residents living in the south of the borough villages too.”

Residents wishing to use the service must apply for a free membership card in advance to enable them to board the bus. Membership forms, along with route maps and timetable information, can be found at www.stockton.gov.uk/communitytransport

Alternatively telephone the council’s customer services team on 01642-528499.

The Community Transport Bus Service is supported by the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Operator Grant.

Local authorities have had to cut back on subsidies to local transport due to budget cuts in recent years, leaving small communities effectively stranded.

But community buses are becoming increasingly popular as a lower-cost way of providing transport on one or two days a week, allowing residents to visit nearby towns.

In Stockton communities in Norton, Hartburn, Billingham and Wolviston are served by the community bus.