ENJOYING a drink and a meal on a night out without having to worry about driving home is on the cards for Dales visitors and residents alike thanks to a unique idea - a minibus service to link pubs and restaurants in Upper Wharfedale with Skipton and Ilkley.

Three Dales organisations - the Grassington Hub, Ilkley-based Wharfedale Brewery and the Yorkshire Dales Society's Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company have joined forces to propose the service, initially for Saturday nights only. Wharfedale Brewery already promotes the popular Ales Way and the Dales Society manages the Sunday DalesBus network.

The scheme, which could start as early as mid-February next year, will be known at the Wharfedale Packhorse and will charter the new Grassington Hub minibus to run it.

Passengers will pre-book their places and will be collected from the last Pride of the Dales buses from Ilkley and Skipton that arrive in Grassington at about 7.15pm.

They will then be taken to a choice of participating pubs and restaurants in Upper Wharfedale, in Kettlewell, Buckden and - if the demand is there - even Hubberholme and Appletreewick.

Users of the service can then be returned to Skipton and Ilkley to get the last train back to Guiseley and Leeds, which leaves Skipton at 11.20pm.

The bus will then collect anyone from the Grassington area who has been to a theatre or concert in Leeds or Bradford and take them back into Upper Wharfedale, dropping them close to home. Passengers would have to pre-book their seats on the bus.

Organisers say everything is in place for the scheme to be a success - as long as enough volunteer drivers can be found to help run the service.

Colin Speakman, vice-president of the Yorkshire Dales Society, said the idea had already generated a huge amount of interest and enthusiasm.

He said: "This is about supporting local businesses in the Dales by bringing in customers and helping Dales people by providing a late night transport service to enable them to have a night out either in Upper Wharfedale or enjoy a show in Leeds.

"We are hoping to run it for an initial period of about three months and continue it if it takes off. All the signs are that it will do - there is terrific support from pubs, restaurants and other businesses in the Dales.

"There is no public money going into the service but we are confident enough cash can be raised from customers and a range of other fund-raising activities. The key to its success is getting enough volunteer drivers - we need a minimum of six or seven to make it work.

"Drivers, who must be aged under 70, will be given free full training to drive a minibus by the Grassington Hub, in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council.

"We are hoping to start in mid-February as that will allow us to get drivers trained up and then gives us time to 'bed in' the service before the summer."

Anyone who would like to volunteer should contact Ann Wild at the Grassington Hub office on 01756 752222 or by email at ann@grassingtonhub.org.uk.

Ann said that the feeling among staff at the Hub staff was that it was "a great opportunity " to help people enjoy all the Dales has to offer.

"We think the Dales has been crying out for such a bus service. We have already had somebody from Addingham willing to volunteer so we are very confident we will be able to get the necessary number of drivers."

Organisers believe the bus service is bound to provide a boost to businesses, some of whom have seen a drop-off in trade because of limited evening buses, with some services disappearing altogether.

One of the pubs that hopes to benefit is the Blue Bell in Kettlewell.

Landlady Julie O'Brien said she thought the service 'is a great idea'.

She added: "Anything that provides another community link has to be welcomed. In this area it should be of great benefit to walkers, who will be able to stay longer. The reduction in the number of bus services over recent years has undoubtedly had an effect on local businesses, so this should be a great help all over the area."

The Blue Bell is one of the 14 pubs on Wharfedale Brewery's successful 'Ale Trail', which links 14 pubs by using the Pride of the Dales and DalesBus services.

Jonathan Shepherd, marketing director of the brewery, said: “Operating a service like this for residents and visitors means that people can enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of beer with their meal without having to risk driving home late at night.”

He said that the new bus service would be good for business, but would also be a boon for those who like to enjoy a day out in the Dales.

“Speaking personally, I live in Ilkley and often go for a day out with friends into the Dales. But you have to start thinking about getting back home towards the end of the afternoon. This service would be a boon for so many people who want to enjoy a full day out."