EASY access buses are being introduced to Wensleydale and Swaledale this week.

The fleet of six buses will all have a wheelchair ramp and bay for people with mobility problems. Another feature is the incorporation of a high visibility illuminated dot matrix system in the main destination screen.

The buses, which be operated by Dales and District, will be seen on services 156/157 between Hawes and Bedale and Bedale and Northallerton, 159 between Ripon, Leyburn and Richmond and 144 between Masham and Bedale.

The county council is investing £1.5m over the next four years in the contract, partly as a result of lobbying by Disability in Action for Richmondshire through the Hambleton and Richmondshire Rural Transport Partnership.

The partnership tested public opinion by writing to parish councils and other local organisations. More than 20 letters of support were received.

Janet Seymour Kirk, a member of the partnership and a representative of the local disabled persons' transport advisory committee, said: "This certainly makes me feel better about getting on a bus. It gives freedom to people who have sometimes never had it."

The county council is promoting the new buses as more suitable for parents with young children and buggies but Mrs Seymour Kirk had concerns. "It's important to educate people in their use. I would not like to see the wheelchair bay blocked," she said.

Hambleton Coun David Smith, whose Crakehall ward is on the route between Bedale and Hawes, said: "They are extremely comfortable buses and wonderful in terms of access for people who are disabled in any way.

"Areas which need further scrutiny are links between the services themselves and across the dale to Darlington."

Adjustments are expected to be made to buses before they enter service in response to criticism that stick-on logos defining the dedicated routes interfere with the view through the large windows and that racks containing timetables should be placed closer to the wheelchair bay.