RESIDENTS in Longridge have welcomed a new bus service providing them a link to Preston via the city's Royal Hospital.

The number 45 service will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, leaving Longridge Post Office at 9.35am, 11.35am and 1.35pm.

It will go from Longridge via Whiitingham Road, Cumeragh Lane and Whittingham Lane, through Goosnargh to Broughton, then Woodplumpton.

From there it travels to Nog Toe and on to the Royal Preston Hospital before continuing to Preston city centre, arriving at 10.20am, 12.20pm and 2.20pm.

The service leaves the city centre at 10.45am, 12.45pm and 3.45pm and is being operated by Stagecoach North West, thanks to funding from Lancashire County Council.

The service will operate for six months at first, with passengers being urged by the county council to 'use it or lose it.'