Bus company, Damory, has confirmed that it will operate an experimental service throughout the day on the current service 5 route between Crossways and Dorchester.

The operator has already confirmed it will provide Dorset County Council’s statutory obligation to transport entitled children to school.

The trial service will provide a range of journeys between 8am and 6pm, including including school holidays and Saturdays. It will include peak time journeys between Crossways and Dorchester at times suitable for commuters as well as daytime journeys throughout the whole service 5 route.

Cllr Daryl Turner, the county council’s Cabinet member for the natural and built environment, said: “I am very pleased that Damory have agreed to offer this service & would take this opportunity to thank them. I would also like to thank the county council's travel team for all the hard work that makes these things happen.

"I would encourage residents to make full use of this service to ensure its ongoing viability.”

County Councillor for Linden Lea, Nick Ireland, said: "This is fantastic news.

"There are people that live in Crossways that work in Dorset County Hospital who were facing the prospect of not being able to get to work and it was unacceptable.

"I am glad that this service is running."

Damory managing director Andrew Wickham, added: “We are delighted be working in partnership with Dorset County Council to provide this service. Our team is committed to helping as many of our customers as possible travel across the region, and this trial initiative is part of that.

‘It is important, moving forwards, that local people make good use of the service - so we can continue providing these extra journeys in the longer term.”

Further details of the timetable, will be available at damory.co.uk/