A MAJOR public transport improvement is in prospect for residents in rural communities between Ledbury and Malvern thanks to local initiative and a £50,000 parish transport grant from the Countryside Agency.

The grant, awarded to the Malvern Hills Cluster Group Transport Project, will provide low-floor buses on a shuttle basis between Ledbury station and Malvern Wells via Colwall, West Malvern and Great Malvern, between 6pm and midnight on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is hoped the service will be in operation as early as September and the timetable will be designed to 'dovetail' with rail and bus connections to Worcester and Hereford.

"The service will benefit young people and non-drivers especially, by providing regular and reliable access to swimming pools, youth centres, cafes, nightclubs, theatres and cinemas in Malvern and Ledbury. Low floor buses will enable people with disabilities to use the service."