Cash boost for rural bus services

Nearly £1m will be spent on bus services in Malvern Hills

Nearly £1.8m has been made available to improve rural bus services in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Worcestershire County Council has been awarded nearly £1m to enhance bus services in Malvern Hills - the biggest single award in the whole country.

Just under £800,000 has been awarded to Herefordshire Council, which will be spent on extending bus services to areas without public transport.

The money has come from the government's Rural Bus Challenge fund.

Herefordshire Council said it now plans to introduce services in very remote areas which passengers will be able to book in advance to call at their homes.

The money awarded to Worcestershire County Council will be spent on bus services linking communities with businesses, leisure facilities, shops, and other public transport routes.