A SPECIALIST bus service, believed to be unique, had a rather unusual passenger as Lord Shuttleworth toured rural initiatives.

First stop for the chairman of the Rural Development Commission was West Bradford where he learned more about the Rural Vision bus. The local Blind Welfare Society has just established the service, which tours villages providing a mobile information and resource centre for visually impaired people in rural communities. Lord Shuttleworth also visited the new village hall.

From West Bradford he and his party of commission members moved on to West Craven to see Barnoldswick-based computer firm Tharstern and officially opened a former council depot in Earby which is being converted into a computer training centre aimed at the unemployed and people with disabilities or learning difficulties. Lunch was spent at holiday firm Country Holidays before Lord Shuttleworth planted a tree at the community centre.

The visit ended in Gisburn with tours of textile firm Phoenix Embroidery.

All the initiatives visited are in the Lancashire Rural Development Area and have been supported by the commission.

Lord Shuttleworth said: I am always delighted to see how organisations and businesses are finding practical and innovative ways of helping rural communities. The commission is pleased to offer support whenever it can."

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