The nationally-acclaimed rural bus service CallConnect service operated by Lincolnshire County Council has carried more than 2.5 million passengers since its launch in 2001.

CallConnect is a demand-responsive bus service which helps people travel from outlying rural areas to market towns and urban centres.

Instead of a fixed timetable, the service responds to passenger requests.

    See also: Record numbers use rural transport service

This means its routes are different each day depending on the bookings made by passengers. Journey requests can be made by telephone or online.

Annual passenger figures rose to 325,000 in 2015 and the service is set to expand again this year through its partnership working with North Lincolnshire Council.

Passengers travelling on pre-booked CallConnect services on Monday (21 March), will be entered into a prize draw to win free travel with the service.

Richard Davies, the council's executive member for highways and transportation said the anniversary highlighted the success of an efficient and popular rural bus network.

"CallConnect provides a much-valued service to over 600 communities in Lincolnshire and our aim is to keep making a difference to more people's lives every year.

Councillor Davies said CallConnect was continuing to pursue partnership working with neighbouring authorities.

"We are pleased to be working with transport officers at North Lincolnshire Council to deliver three additional CallConnect services to their residents.

"This in turn helps support our own Lincolnshire CallConnect network".

Further developments planned for the service include a "refresh" of vehicles to improve the CallConnect bus fleet.