A NEW public transport service aimed at rural areas of West Devon has arrived.

Devon County Council?s innovative Fare Car scheme has been extended to the villages of Black Torrington, Broadwoodwidger, Halwill Junction, Halwill Town and Virginstow.

The service, operated by Holsworthy Taxis, provides daily transport to and from Holsworthy and Launceston for around the price of a bus fare.

The new Fare Cars service ? known as the F8 ? started on Monday. Like a bus, it has fixed arrival and departure times but passengers must book their journeys a day in advance.

It is available to anybody who lives in the rural areas covered, and the cost of a single fare is £2.

Cllr David Morrish, the county?s environmental portfolio holder, said: ?The new service will allow families that live off the main bus routes to have access to public transport at comparative bus costs, rather than using a conventional taxi service.?

Cllr Allin Bewes, of Coham Bridge ward, said: ?I?m delighted that this desperately needed service has arrived. There?s no regular bus service in Black Torrington, so this is an innovation that?s long overdue.?

Funding for the service was obtained through the Government?s Rural Bus Challenge scheme.

The fare car initiative was first introduced in East Devon in December 2000 after a collaboration between county council and the Countryside Agency.

Details of how to join the Fare Car Travel Club, plus travel times, fares and booking information, are contained in a leaflet being distributed locally.

For further information, please call 01409 259160.