THORNTON Action Group is celebrating getting the wheels in motion for a replacement bus service.

An improved evening bus service between Cleve and Houlton began recently to compensate for the withdrawal of the F9 service in April.

It follows representations from Thornton Action Group that Little Thornton and Skip Road would be left with only two bus services per night, with the last bus leaving Cleve for Houlton at 9.20pm.

Lancashire County Council, which subsidised the facility, has agreed to double the new 86 service, which will provide a last bus leaving Houlton St Chad's Church at 22.38pm to Cleve (then on to Fleetwood). The last bus from Cleve to Houlton will be at 22.32pm. This bus leaves Fleetwood at 22.15pm.

The service operates from Monday to Saturday, but does not run on Sundays and bank holidays when the F5 hourly service operates from Cleve only to Little Thornton.

Action Group secretary Jim Stansfield said: "We are grateful the County Council has listened to our dismay about losing the F9 service.

"The improved service is welcome, especially for the later time from Cleve, which will also benefit people in the West Drive area who use the bingo and social clubs.

"I would also like to thank MP Hilton Dawson and County Coun John Shed for their support."