A COMMUNITY bus service has been launched in Faringdon to help meet the transport needs of residents.

The bus will operate a circular route around the town as well as serving local villages.

It has been funded by the combined package of a Countryside Agency transport grant together with a grant from the South East England Development Agency.

Duncan Mackay, a spokesman for the Countryside Agency, said the scheme had been designed to improve access to Faringdon town centre as part of an overall plan to reinvigorate market towns.

He said: "It will help local people with their transport needs and by doing so boost the town's ability to act as a service hub for nearby villages."

Mr Mackay added that the two grants demonstrated a combined approach to solving local problems.

"Assisting rural based community transport initiatives is a key aim of ours," he said.

As well as Faringdon, the new bus will also serve six smaller rural settlements around the Oxfordshire town.

It is hoped that people living in the villages will use the new bus service to travel to Faringdon to do their shopping.

Mr Mackay said: "We want to help Faringdon improve the way it develops as a market town.

"This new bus service is an excellent example of what can be done."

A coordinator is now being sought to set up more promotional initiatives in Faringdon.