PEOPLE in isolated rural communities are being given a bus link to their main hospital and shops.

The weekly Bishop Auckland Hospital Access bus starts on Wednesday and is aimed at people with mobility problems who cannot use public transport.

As well as taking passengers to the hospital entrance, the evening service will call at Morrisons supermarket, in the town.

It will pick up pre-booked passengers from their homes in Cockfield, Evenwood, High Lands, Butterknowle, Woodland and Copley at about 6pm and start the return journey from Morrisons at 8pm and the hospital at 8.15pm.

Operated in partnership with Durham County Council, the service is part of a programme to improve transport links to health facilities, in conjunction with Primary Care and Acute Hospitals Health Trusts in the county.

Councillor Bob Pendlebury, cabinet member for transport, said: "The bus will be a low-floor, fully accessible vehicle, which will help make life easier for people with mobility difficulties visiting Bishop Auckland hospital."

To book a trip, call 0191-383-5159.