A BUS service is Darwen is set to be extended after being hailed as a success by passengers.

Moving People has been operating from Monday to Friday only, running the 33 service, Darwen to Blackburn via Hoddlesden, Pot House, Lower Darwen and Royal Blackburn Hospital.

However, due to requests from passengers the company has said it will now offer a Saturday service.

The new Saturday service will be available from October 7 and will run at 9am, 10.40am and 1pm from Blackburn and 9.50am, 12.10pm and 1.50pm from Darwen.

Sudell Ward Councillor Jane Oates said: “I am pleased that residents of Sudell ward will benefit from this extended service.

This is excellent news for those that rely on this service who will now have even greater flexibility about when they travel.

“I’d like to congratulate Moving People for making this decision and would urge passengers to use it and ensure its future.”

Stuart Coates, Moving People director, said: “Our drivers have developed an excellent rapport with our regular passengers and we look forward to new customers joining us.

“Our new Saturday service aims to offer people a chance to take advantage of the shopping opportunities in both Blackburn and Darwen town centres.”

Darwen Mayor Roy Davies said: “I’m sure Darwen residents will be glad to have the extra service but I would think they would prefer to have more buses during the week.

“We have a lot of older residents who rely on public transport so we should be catering for them.”

Darwen Coach Services ceased trading in December last year, leaving dozens of passengers and schoolchildren stranded.

Peter Graham, Darwen Coach Services transport manager sited ‘in house’ problems with the company as the reason for the closure

Speaking last year he said: “It was a very sudden decision to do with ‘in house’ problems at the company. It was connected with the seizure of vehicles having no insurance.

“Blackburn with Darwen Council managed to make arrangements for the majority of our school transport services.”

Eight drivers were made redundant as a result of the sudden closure and 18 routes in the borough were left without buses.

Blackburn with Darwen Council took emergency steps to ensure that statutory school routes were maintained.