VILLAGES north of New Milton will be given a regular bookable bus service to the new Lymington New Forest Hospital.

It is the first time since the out-of-town hospital opened in January that the outlying villages of Wootton and Tiptoe have had a home-to-hospital service.

Sway residents have had it slightly better with two journeys a day in each direction on the Wilts & Dorset route 120.

Now Hampshire County Council has given the bookable Cango service between Lymington and New Milton its second reprieve this year.

The under-used service was going to be withdrawn in February but, after a local campaign, it was given a second chance with a £25,000 subsidy for the three months until the end of April.

County council leader Cllr Thornber said: "We've listened, we've considered various aspects of the current service and we've decided to extend and modify it."

To register free for Cango, dial 0845 602 4135.