A BUS that used to run without passengers down a Dale will carry passengers from next week after a council stepped in to fund it.

The teatime X59 Arriva bus, which took students home to Hawes from Darlington College, was being driven back to its depot in Darlington at the end of the day out of service and empty.

Hawes and High Abbotside parish and North Yorkshire county councils will fund the 7pm service, which will run between Hawes and Darlington, via Richmond, so it can pick up passengers.

An early morning service is also being introduced on the route to Hawes, Upper Wensleydale, which could help the town's creamery to recruit workers.

County councillor John Blackie, who is also chairman of Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council, said of the teatime bus: "It left Hawes shortly after 7pm and was a lost opportunity.

"The parish council asked how much it would cost for that bus to pick up passengers, and it is £50 a week.

"We then said we would pay something if the county council would also chip in, and we are going to try it until Christmas."

He praised bus company Arriva for also agreeing to carry passengers on the 5.35am bus from Darlington to Hawes for 7am.

The Wensleydale creamery has a 7am shift and has had problems in the past recruiting workers because of the cost of housing in Upper Wensleydale.

The arrangement also restores a bus link between Hawes and Richmond that was scrapped several years ago.

The services will begin on Monday and run weekdays.

Coun Blackie said: "This is a really good example of partnership working bringing a tangible benefit to local people.

"We are unlocking new travelling opportunities for local communities that have traditionally suffered considerable difficulty in accessing services, jobs and leisure."

County Councillor Clare Wood, the executive member for business and environmental services, said: "Public transport can be a vital link for people living in remote rural communities and we are pleased to be able to support this important initiative."

Details of bus services in North Yorkshire are available by calling Traveline, on 0871-200-2233, and at www.northyorks. gov.uk