A NEW bus service is allowing village youngsters to take part in after-school activities in Durham.

The Vital Village Bus Link enables children from West Rainton, Sherburn, Pittington and Shadforth to get home from Belmont Comprehensive School on the outskirts of the city after taking part in after school sessions such as sport and drama.

Before the service was in place, some children often felt excluded from the fun because there were no ordinary service buses which could get them directly home.

The Shadforth, Pittington and Sherburn (SPS) Parishes Transport Project won funding from the Countryside Agency's Parish Transport Grant.

The link enables children to take part in activities then get home free afterwards to villages not on a direct bus route.

Initially it provided two journeys on Tuesday evenings but an extra journey was added as more than 30 young people wanted to use it.

Local county councillor Raymond Pye said: "An Ofsted inspection report highlighted the difficulties young people from the four areas had in accessing extra activities at Belmont. Since then, the four parishes, Durham County Council, Durham City Council and the school have worked together to solve the problem.

"We are also looking to the future to expand the scheme so that all residents of the villages can get to venues where no public transport is available.''

Patrick Howarth, head teacher of the school, said: "This is a brilliant initiative. One of the main barriers to students taking part in after school activities has been transport home to villages.

"By providing free transport, it means all students can take part in the wide range of activities we offer.

"Up to 30 students a night are making use of the transport. This has enabled us to set up a drama group and we hope to build on this next year with dance and other activities,'' he added.

To expand the scheme, volunteers are needed to drive buses and act as escorts. Full training will be given.

Anyone interested should ring Mr Howarth at the school on (0191) 386 5715 for more information.