A NEW bus service linking communities across a vast area of Redcar and Cleveland has been introduced.

The buses are operating hourly through more than 20 towns and villages on six evenings a week, Monday to Saturday.

The vehicles run through Redcar, Marske, Saltburn, Brotton, Carlin How, Loftus, Liverton Mines, North Skelton, New Skelton, Skelton, Skelton Green, Boosbeck, Lingdale, Margrove Park, Charltons, Slapewath, Guisborough, including an extension into Hutton Village, Dunsdale, Yearby and Kirkleatham Village.

The service has been introduced with the support of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council as it attempts to limit the impact of services being withdrawn.

Among the services recently withdrawn have been the 789 on Sundays, from Easington to New Marske, and the 781 Sunday daytime from Guisborough to Redcar. Other services removed are covered by the new services.

The authority presently spends more than £500,000 supporting discretionary bus services.

Helen McLuckie, cabinet member for highways, transportation and planning, said: "Reductions in these services have been unavoidable but, rather than withdrawing all support, we wanted to preserve transport links wherever possible.

"The new service allows us to maintain links between many communities on six evenings each week, offering access to local facilities."

Easington and New Marske are not included as they are already supported by other commercial services.

Earlier this year, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop criticised bus operators for raising fares, while reducing services. The council hopes that the low-cost fares will encourage more people to use the service.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the service, including timetables and fares, is asked to call 01642-444973.