RESIDENTS in rural areas of the Ribble Valley could soon have a door-to-door bus service as part of an improved transport scheme.

Lancashire County Council successfully bid for £634,375 to fund the Bowland transit scheme - a plan for buses in the Forest of Bowland area north of Clitheroe, which includes Slaidburn and villages up to the Yorkshire border.

A county council spokesman said: "This is very good news for the people living in this area and will provide a modern and demand-led rural bus service."

"We also hope to introduce a timed response service similar to the Super 8 service in Garstang."

Super 8 was introduced in Garstang in August 2000 and had its 5,000th customer in July last year. The service allows people who live off the main route to call the control centre to arrange to be collected nearer to home.

County Coun Nora Ward, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "The Super 8 has proved a massive success since it was launched.

"Local people value the fact that the route can be tailored to their needs, making travelling by bus more attractive and convenient."

The new service for Bowland is expected to be in place by the end of this year and plans are already under way to employ a project manager.

A new public company based in the Forest of Bowland area will also be set up to manage the service once it is up and running.

There are also plans to buy four new low-floor minibuses for the service.

The council spokesman added: "The service will be run by local people for the local community. Consultations will get under way in the next few months with local people to sort out the best timetable for the buses which will be beneficial to those travelling to schools, colleges and work, and to the elder members of the community, and we will make sure the buses provide connections to the local train services."

Funding came from the Rural Bus Challenge 2001 competition, managed by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Other successes include a £45,000 bid to expand an existing taxi service in Summerseat, Tottington and Ramsbottom.

In total, £20million was awarded to 39 local authorities to launch or improve 58 rural transport schemes across England, with the North West receiving more than £2million.

Government minister Sally Keeble said the schemes tackled some of the deep-seated transport problems of rural areas.