PUBLIC transport in Hartlepool is about to receive a boost with the launch of two bus services.

A service 505/555 run by Compass Royston coaches, and a service 526 run by Stagecoach, will start on Tuesday April 2, both of them resulting from successful bids for government funding by Hartlepool Borough Council.

The town has been awarded £185,000 over three years from the Urban Bus Challenge initiative, and part of this will fund the 505/555 service.

A further £135,000 has been secured through the Rural Bus Challenge competition, again over three years, and this is supporting the 526 service.

Jayne Brown, the council's public transport services team leader, said: "The 505/555 service will provide a valuable new link between the Headland, Hart Station and the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

"It will offer a half-hourly evening shuttle service and an all-day Sunday service. It is designed to provide a bus service that arrives at the hospital in time for the start of weekday evening visiting."

The 526 service is an amalgamation of two existing services - the 527 Greatham to the town centre, and the 516 town centre to Elwick and Dalton Piercy service.

Miss Brown said: "This will enable travellers to commute between the villages of Greatham, Elwick and Dalton Piercy."

Full details of the services are available on (01429) 523555.