A RURAL link scheme will helpvillagers to travel on buses and trains that they have only been able to watch - but not use - until now.

People living in the Lower Wharfedale area can often see buses and trains in the distance, but are unable to reach them without a car.

Now £280,000 has just been approved for a rural bus inter-link scheme by North Yorkshire County Council to link villages in Huby, Weeton, Dunkeswick, Kirkby Over-blow, Barrowby, Netherby, Kearby and Sicklinghall.

It will provide a vital link with main route bus services to Leeds and Harrogate, as well as rail links to the two towns from Weeton railway station.

The scheme will also provide a cross-country link to Wetherby.

County councillor for the area, Richard Thomas, said: "This will open up new travelling opportunities for people without cars and those who want to leave them at home.

"At the momen,t many people in the area have the frustration of seeing public transport across the countryside, but they cannot get to it unless they walk miles down country lanes."

Meanwhile, in villages near Harrogate - including Beckwithshaw, Braithwaite, Braythorn, Leathley, North Rigton and Stainburn an off-peak service "on demand" will also be fed into the new link-up system.

Funding for a £130,000 16-seat mini bus with space for three wheelchairs and the creation of a rural interchange on the A61 south of Harrogate has been approved as part of the package.

There will also be additional village bus stops. Over a three-year period, £151,000 is being spent for a weekday peak hour fixed route service linking Huby, Weeton railway station, Weeton village, Dunkeswick, Kirkby Over-blow, Barrowby, Netherby, Kearby and Sicklinghall with rail and bus links.