A BUS service which was launched following controversial changes to key services at a general hospital has been extended due to rising demand.

Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said the number of passengers using its free shuttle bus between The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, and James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, had increased by 46 per cent to 208 passengers between February 16 and March 9.

It said Procters Coach Hire, of Leeming Bar, had been awarded a contract to run the service until next March.

A CCG spokesman said patients had praised the service for eliminating the stress of having to find somewhere to park their cars.

The bus, for use by hospital patients and their families and staff, travels between the hospitals ten times a day, and is available Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

The CCG and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust introduced the shuttle bus in October, after winning a long-running battle over ending consultant-led maternity and paediatric services at the Friarage.

Topcliffe GP Dr Charles Parker, of the CCG, said: “The increase in passenger numbers demonstrates that patients, their relatives and staff members appreciate the bus service and find it useful.

“We know that transport links are very important, people tell us that.

"We are asking people to remember that the bus is here, it is free and it saves many people driving to Middlesbrough and paying for parking at James Cook Hospital."