By James MortlockTOURISTS and residents are celebrating after a new community bus service was launched in towns on the Suffolk/Norfolk border.The Brecks Warrener service will run between Lakenheath, Brandon, Thetford, Hockwold and Weeting, visiting museums, parks, rail stations and other locations to improve access to leisure facilities and public transport.

TOURISTS and residents are celebrating after a new community bus service was launched in towns on the Suffolk/Norfolk border.

The Brecks Warrener service will run between Lakenheath, Brandon, Thetford, Hockwold and Weeting, visiting museums, parks, rail stations and other locations to improve access to leisure facilities and public transport.

Residential homes and sheltered housing units will also be on the bus route to enable elderly residents to get out to shops or spend time at attractions such as Grimes Graves or the RSPB sanctuary at Lakenheath.

Full services will begin on Saturday and a second bus will be available for private bookings from societies, clubs, sports teams and other organisations.

Marlene Wiseman, of the Brandon Communities Partnership and Suffolk ACRE, said she was confident the scheme would be a success.

“People have said it is just what they need and the service is based on a demand found in Brandon's town appraisal,” she added.

“It is satisfying to deliver a service that meets an acute need and that is something the community has actively asked for.

“Groups are already getting in touch and asking about the service and several have asked to book the buses for weekend events.

“I hope it will be a success and I can't see why it won't succeed with the number of people who are already keen to use it.”

Timetables for the services are available at libraries, shops and other areas in Brandon and the surrounding towns and villages and more copies are due to be circulated to homes in the town later this week.

The Brandon Communities Partnership, Suffolk ACRE, Suffolk County Council, Forest Heath District Council, National Trust, RSPB and the Brecks Tourism Project worked together to win funding for the service from the Countryside Agency.