A LOCAL authority and bus operator are offering free transport to vaccination hubs in a bid to increase the take up of the coronavirus jab.

Rossendale Council and Transdev have joined forces to make it easier for residents to get to and from sites in the borough.

The council is providing a shuttle bus from Haslingden town centre to the vaccination site on Winfields car park, running from 1pm to 5pm every day.

Transdev’s Rosso bus company are also helping boost the Covid-19 vaccination campaign with free travel on any of their buses in Lancashire to and from a vaccination appointment.

Its chief executive Alex Hornby said: “We are proud to be supporting the local vaccination effort with this offer of no quibble, free travel by bus. All you need to do is present proof of your appointment.

“We are also offering free travel to and from vaccination drop-in centres where you won’t have an appointment already booked. Just let the driver know.”

Cllr Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Council, said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for people in Rossendale to get to the vaccinations sites and recognise that not everyone has their own transport.

“The free shuttle bus from John Street car park provided by the council as well as the offer of free travel from the local bus company is a great initiative. We hope it will help encourage as many people as possible to get vaccinated.”