A NEW bus service opening the Yorkshire Dales up to thousands more potential visitors is launched on Sunday.

Direct buses to the dales will operate for the first time from Middlesbrough, calling at Stockton, Darlington and Richmond.

The new service will operate every Sunday and bank holiday until the end of August, leaving Middlesbrough at 9.30am before arriving in Reeth, Swaledale, at 11.10am and Hawes in Wensleydale at 12.07pm.

Further details are available from the North Yorkshire Traveline on (0870) 608 2608.