A NEW door-to-door bus service to take people to their local doctor's surgery is to be launched in north Durham.

The dial-a-ride service, provided by Durham County Council, will link 16 villages around Lanchester to local doctor surgeries.

The low-floor, wheelchair accessible bus, will be available to book between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and will collect people at their homes to take them to and from appointments.

County council rural and community transport officer Steve Lockwood said: "It caters for anyone with a genuine mobility difficulty that prevents them from travelling on conventional public transport.

"People who want to use it can become members of the scheme for a one-off, nominal fee and then a return journey costs just £1.

"All members have to do is call the service on 0191-383 5205, at least 24 hours before they want to travel, with details of the day and time of their appointment.

"If necessary, our drivers will assist them to and from the bus.

"This new service is going to make a big difference for many people in the Lanchester area."

The bus will collect people in Lanchester, Satley, East Hedleyhope, South Moor, Thornley, Tow Law, Esh, Langley Park, Stanley, Quebec, Maiden Law, Kaysburn, Dipton, Burnhope, Witton Gilbert, Edmondsley and Cornsay.

It will take people to appointments at Browney House Surgery, Langley Park; Tow Law Medical Group; Burnhope Surgery; The Haven; Park House Surgery, Lanchester, and Langley Park Medical Group.

The county council, in partnership with the county's health authorities, operates the service, which is funded by the Department for Transport's Rural Bus Challenge.