A COMMUNITY bus service which helps provide vital transport links between Stalham and other villages which was in danger of being cut has been saved thanks to a funding boost.

A COMMUNITY bus service which helps provide vital transport links between Stalham and other villages which was in danger of being cut has been saved thanks to a funding boost.

North Walsham Area Community Transport Association (NWACTA) is to receive �15,000 funding to help continue running the Dial a Bus services in villages to the south and east of Stalham.

The funding, which will be given over two years, has come from the Lloyds-TSB Foundation for England and Wales.

Funding for the service, which provides door-to-door transport from home to the shops and other amenities, used to come from the Stalham with Happing Partnership, but that funding ran out in June.

At the time it was feared that the services would have to be axed, meaning elderly residents of Horning, Ludham, Hickling and Potter Heigham, would be without transport to their weekly shopping trips to Stalham on Wednesdays and to North Walsham on Fridays.

Jane Aldridge from Hickling has been using the Dial a Bus since 2005 and was delighted that the services could continue.

She said “It makes us feel that life is worthwhile as it gives us independence and confidence to stay living in the village”

Paul Gray, co-ordination and development manager of NWACTA, which has been providing community transport since 1999, said he was delighted with news of the funding for a further two years. He said: “Public transport in these villages is scant, and even where provided, requires long walks to and from the bus stop by many residents.”

For information on volunteering and the services, call the NWACTA North Walsham office on 01692 500840.