ELDERLY and disabled East Durham residents have a new public transport link to help them visit family and friends in hospital.

The East Durham Hospital Link is a fully accessible dial-a-ride service to take Easington residents to Hartlepool General Hospital.

It is the latest example of Durham County Council working with the health sector to enable people to gain access to services.

As well as taking people to the hospital for visiting, the service offers transport seven days a week to appointments, providing they are between 2pm and 4pm, or between 6.30pm and 8pm.

Funding for the three-year project has come through an award from the Rural Bus Challenge to Durham County Council, matched by the Countryside Agency's Rural Transport Partnership funding.

Council cabinet member Councillor Bob Pendlebury said: "The new service highlights the partnership working between the county council and the health and community transport sectors.

"The new link is a door-to-door service between the passenger's home and the hospital. If required, the drivers will also provide assistance to and from the vehicle.''

The cost of the service is £2 for a return journey and bookings must be made in advance.

The service is being operated by Communicare, a charitable community organisation based in Peterlee.

Anyone wishing to book a journey should contact Alice or Sharon at Communicare on 0191-587 2883.