PEOPLE in Barnoldswick and Earby can get a lift to hospital when a new bus service rolls into town today.

Healthcare bosses hope the scheme will free up hospital beds, cut the number of missed appointments and reduce home visits, saving money and making hospital visits less stressful.

The West Craven Rider is funded by the Countryside Agency and will take people from Barnoldswick, Earby, Salterforth, Kelbrook, Bracewell, Sough and Thornton to Airedale and Skipton hospitals.

Countryside Agency Head of Transport for the North West Lynne Fox said: "The West Craven Rider is an excellent example of a Countryside Agency funded rural transport partnership scheme that will help people access healthcare, enabling earlier detection and treatment."

According to Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, Pendle has relatively poor health and there are examples of exceptionally poor health in the borough which are reflected in the number of premature deaths.

Chief co-ordinator for Earby Village Partnership Pat Spenceley said: "Our Vital Villages parish plan showed 42 per cent of people had difficulty accessing Airedale hospital.

"Whilst patients will be charged for journeys, it is comparable in price to public transport and passengers will be able to use their concessionary passes."

Places on the bus must be booked two days in advance and the service will run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. To book, contact 01282 447611 Monday to Friday between 2pm and 3pm.