YORK visitors now have the chance to travel further afield after a new bus service started over the weekend.

The services will provide direct links into the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Nidderdale Rambler service 26 will leave York Theatre Royal at 9.20am every Sunday and Bank Holiday.

The service, run by Stephensons Coaches, will run to Grassington via Harrogate, Pateley Bridge and Stump Cross Caverns.

At Pateley Bridge, connections are available on to the Nidderdale Rambler bus 25 to Lofthouse, How Stean Gorge and Middlesmoor in Upper Nidderdale.

Reliance Motor Services service 812 leaves York Theatre Royal at 0940 every Sunday and Bank Holiday, and runs to Ripon, Lightwater Valley and Fountains Abbey.

Discounted entry to Lightwater Valley and Fountains Abbey is available to passengers using the service.

Dales Rover Tickets are available on the Sunday buses, offering unlimited travel for a day in the Dales for £4.50.

Discounts are available for OAPs, children and families.

Explore Nidderdale, a new full-colour guide to buses in the Nidderdale area, with information on places to visit and suggested walks, has also been produced by the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users' Group.

Copies are now available from tourist information centres and the bus information office in George Hudson Street, York.

For more information, contact the Traveline on 0870 608 2 608.

Updated: 08:58 Monday, May 19, 2003