THE Wigglybus, the innovative Pewsey Vale bus service that provides a vital link for villagers, has been nominated for a national award in the transport equivalent of the Oscars.

It has made it to a shortlist of four in the Bus in the Countryside Award section of the fifth annual Bus Industry Awards, which will be announced at a ceremony in London on November 21.

The bus runs hourly and wiggles its way through the countryside from Devizes to Burbage, picking up passengers who have phoned to request it. The year-old project is a partnership between the Pewsey Vale Transport Appraisal Group, Wiltshire County Council, Kennet District Council and Hatts Coaches of Chippenham. The popular service has more than 300 members in its discount travel club.

Driver Doug Robins, from Manningford Abbotts, said: ""It means people can get around easily. I take cleaners from one village to another. I don't know how else they'd get to their jobs."