A NEW community bus service aimed at helping people get out and about has been launched in Grassington.

Based at Grassington Hub, the bus will take people on shopping and day trips.

The project has been backed by North Yorkshire County Council and the Dales Integrated Transport Alliance (DITA).

It is planned that the 14 seater minibus will help people from becoming socially isolated and fulfil a demand.

It will also be available for other organisations to rent out for their own trips.

Ann Wild, Grassington Hub manager, said the council's school minibus had been made available to the hub out of school hours and during holidays.

Already planned is weekly shopping trips from Grassington to Skipton and in the pipeline are organised trips to cafes and other places of interest.

"We are very grateful to the council and the Dales Integrated Transport Alliance for making this possible," she said.

"There are so many places we can go and visit now we have it, and we are looking forward to plenty of great days out in the weeks and months ahead."

One of the first trips out for the bus was to take a group of residents of Anchor Homes Gills Top care home to Kilnsey Park Estate.

Organisations wanting to hire the minibus will have to provide their own driver, but free training will be provided by the hub in partnership with the council.

Trips into Skipton from Grassington will cost £5 return, or £2.50 one way.

To book a place, to find out about other trips, or hire the minibus, contact the hub by email at ann@grassingtonhub.org.uk or telephone 01756 752222 or call in to the hub office in Garrs Lane, Grassington.