WORCESTERSHIRE county councillor Rachel Jenkins is calling on residents in Romsley, Clent and Belbroughton to press their claims for a community bus service.

She helped set up a similar service in Hagley early this year which has since gone from strength to strength.

Now she wants to extend the service, run by West Midlands Special Need Transport (WMSNT), throughout her Clent Hills constituency.

She said: "Hagley Parish Council has demonstrated how this can become a very valuable service for its residents and I am now working with Clent Parish Council to support similar needs in my Clent Hills Division."

Hagley Parish Council chairman and district councillor Steve Colella said: "The community bus has really taken off in Hagley and now runs four days a week.

"It's a ring and ride door-to-door service which is proving a huge success.

"The service came into operation less than six months ago after a public consultation proved public transport wasn't serving a purpose in Hagley as it wasn't viable for what people wanted.

"The community bus started running three times a week making trips to Merry Hill, Stourbridge and Kidderminster and more often than not it is full.

"Now it has increased to include the Hagley 'Hand of Friendship' - taking people to Hagley Free Church every Thursday for their weekly luncheon.

"It's clear proof the service is meeting the needs of the community and getting people out. It provides the flexibility to go places which public transport couldn't offer.

"Previously, some Hand of Friendship members were having to rely on a 90-year-old lady collecting them and then taking them home.

Jean Deacy from the Hand of Friendship, added: "This is our 40th year and we are as popular as ever with a growing waiting list. This service makes it much easier for people to get to the church and enjoy their morning out."

Anyone wishing to use the service can call 0121 453 9682 to register.