Disabled people in Mid Sussex can now take advantage of a new Dial-a-Ride service.

West Sussex County Council, Mid Sussex District Council and the Countryside Agency have teamed up to provide the £370,000 scheme.

The service, operated by Bluebird Community Transport, is for people with mobility difficulties, who find it hard to use conventional bus services in the area.

The Dial-a-Ride service uses a bus, fitted with a tailift, and picks up passengers direct from their homes. The service runs between Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

Bluebird chairman Ann Jones, said: "It has taken three years of hard work to get this scheme off the ground and we are delighted it is finally here. This is the first Dial-a-Ride scheme for the Mid Sussex area and we are hopeful there will be more to come for the district."

David Dewdney, county cabinet member for community services, said: "The Dial-a-Ride service is excellent news for those who find travelling difficult.

"This new door-to-door service, which is based in Burgess Hill, will give people the opportunity to get out of the house more often. It's a real alternative to relying on the availability of a friend with transport."

The new service will serve Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Lindfield, Albourne, Bolney, Cuckfield, Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint and Twineham.

To book a journey on the bus, passengers need to ring Dial-a-Ride on 01444 253133 between 10am and 11.30am the day before they want to travel.