A NEW community bus service has been launched to provide a vital link between Malvern and the surrounding villages.

The service, running between Clifton-Upon-Teme and Malvern, will see trips to and from Malvern.

Tickets will have to be pre-booked for the service, which wends its way through Suckley and Leigh Sinton before ending up at the Malvern Retail park.

This is a 'Ring and Book' service operated by Tenbury Transport Trust and it will run every Thursday.

Starting from the village hall in Clifton at 9.45am and arriving in Malvern at around 10.35am.

The return trip will leave Malvern at 12.30pm and the retail park itself at 12.45pm.

For more information, please call Tenbury Transport Trust on 01584 810491 (10am to1pm Monday to Friday)

The full timetable is as follows:

9.45am - Clifton Village Hall

9.55am - Martley Village Hall

9.57am - Berrow Green, Admiral Rodney pub

10.05am - Knightwick, the Talbot Inn

10.15am - Suckley Village Hall car park

10.25am - Leigh Sinton - location to be confirmed

10.35am - Great Malvern

10.45am - Malvern Retail park

This is a new timetable which is responsive to the specific requirements of the passengers in each location.

Therefore, during the first few months, there may be small changes made to pick up times as demand for the service increases.

Passengers will be advised of the pick up time when they book their seat.

This service will be operated by Tenbury Transport Trust.

Membership of TTT is a requirement for all passengers, however, the fee of £5 per annum will be waived for the first year.