A NEW bus service connecting 26 parishes to the town of Buckingham has been described as a rural lifeline.

The subsidised Saturday service will allow parishes in the Buckingham area who do not currently receive a service to Buckingham on a market day, to have a bus each week to the town.

The timings of the new routes will be scheduled to allow time for passengers to have a few hours in Buckingham for shopping or other activities.

The subsidised service has been funded by Buckingham Local Area Forum as part of its commitment to improve public transport in rural areas.

Buckinghamshire County Councillor David Polhill, who chairs the forum, said: "This new bus service will provide a lifeline for people in outlying areas.

"By running the buses on Saturdays, it means that families and working people as well as those who don't work can really benefit from it."

The Buckingham Local Area Forum will provide an estimated £9,100 to fund the bus service for 12 months.

Thereafter, the idea is that local parish councils, Buckingham Town Council and the Buckingham Traders Association will provide funding to preserve the subsidy.

The new bus routes should be operating by early December.