A NEW door-to-door minibus service around Chatburn and Gisburn, which will make the outside world more accessible to many people, is launched tomorrow.

Several residents living within the area, such as the disabled, mums with pushchairs or people with heavy luggage, find conventional travel difficult. The specially designed, low-floor mini-bus makes boarding the vehicle much easier.

The new service is being launched from the Brown Cow pub, in Chatburn, at 11am.

Funding for the bus has come from Lancashire County Council, the Countryside Agency and the East Lancashire Partnership's Single Regeneration Budget programme. The project is an Enterprising Rural Communities initiative.

It says the fact the bus picks people up from their home is an added bonus for those living in more remote areas who struggle to get to conventional bus stops.

The mini-bus is also available for community group hire and possible dial-a-ride services when not needed on the main service.

The new service is being launched by local resident Edwina Tomlinson. The ceremony is to be overseen by Ted Boden, chairman of Chatburn Parish Council, Mayor of the Ribble Valley Coun Chris Holtom, and County Councillor Tim Ormrod.