A BUS service which was withdrawn 12 months ago could be up and running again by July.

Hartlepool Borough Council has announced it will fund the re-introduction of the number five service.

It was withdrawn in March last year on the grounds that it was no longer commercially viable.

Councillor Robbie Payne, the council's culture, housing and transportation portfolio holder, agreed to invite bids from companies interested in running a new supported Headland service.

He was told that the cost of reinstating the service could be as much as £75,000 a year.

The previous service five, which was operated by Stagecoach, was withdrawn because of poor passenger numbers.

Coun Payne said: "Since the withdrawal of the Stagecoach service, a new health centre has been built on the Headland and facilities re-located there from West View.

"Consequently, significant numbers of people now need to travel from the Hart Station area and points in between to the new health centre.

"Representations have been made for service five to be reinstated, and this is a case of the council listening to what local people are saying.

"It is important that residents of the town have access to good quality health care and, hopefully, this bus service will ensure that is the case."

Coun Payne was told that the proposed service had to be put out to tender by law and that it could be three months before the reinstated service was ready to take to the roads again.

Stagecoach commercial manager Doug Elphee said: "We were aware that the council were thinking about subsidising the service five.

"We will be making a bid for the new contract."

Councillor Derek Allison said: "There has been a big problem with patients visiting the new health centre not being able to get there.

"People on the Headland live on the doorstep but residents in places like Central estate are really struggling. This is great news."

At a council meeting yesterday, Coun Payne also agreed that Stagecoach should be asked what it would cost the council to fund revised school services that would enable pupils living in the Burbank area to catch a bus to school.

Children in that area have not had access to a local bus service to and from school since March last year when Stagecoach revised its timetables.