A COMMUNITY bus service is the latest to succumb to Tour de France fever – and it’s got the spots to prove it.

The Swaledale Shuttle has taken on a whole new look as part of the celebrations surrounding next weekend’s Grand Départ.

The bus, run by volunteers and funded by North Yorkshire County Council, has been decked out in the traditional King of the Mountains colours and decorated with bunting.

On Friday and Saturday it will be playing its part in the event – ferrying passengers to and from the Tour route through Wensleydale and Swaledale.

Local county councillor John Blackie, one of the volunteer drivers, donned a yellow jersey and described the bus as a “tremendous” community asset.

Council leader John Weighell added: “The Swaledale Shuttle is an excellent example of how community-run services can be developed to supplement, and in some cases replace, services which have had to be curtailed as a result of extreme financial pressures.”