NEW bus services linking deprived estates in Burnley to areas of employment are being launched thanks to Government funding of almost £1million.

Burnley Employment Shuttle Transit (BEST) has been granted £972,496 to launch two new bus services in Daneshouse and Burnley Wood and the extension of an existing service.

News of the investment in the scheme, from the Urban Bus Challenge Competition, was welcomed by Burnley MP Peter Pike.

He said: "This is just the sort of thing we want. I am delighted the government has made this massive investment in the scheme.

"We want better public transport in Burnley for the benefit of everybody but helping people to use the bus to get to work is one of the best things we can do to tackle deprivation in parts of the town and make sure the right people get the right jobs."

The two new routes, one serving Daneshouse, the other serving Burnley Wood, Barclay and Trinity, will respond to demand, running at regular times with some flexibility to travel off-route for a pre-arranged pick up.

They will link to the main industrial estates of Network 65 and Shuttleworth Mead.

The number 12 service, run by Burnley and Pendle Travel, will also be extended into the Rossendale Road industrial estate.

The bid for the money was drawn up after consultation with the public revealed that people often had to travel into the town centre to change buses, or the bus services did not match their shift patterns.

Transport minister Tony McNulty, said: "The Government is committed to investing in public transport to offer real alternatives for people across the country.

"Buses are a major link for many people and the schemes which have been awarded funding will bring real benefits to many communities."