HELP is at hand for people who were concerned about changes to the bus service to the Alex Hospital, thanks to a local travel company.

Worcestershire County Council wants to inform residents who use the 57 and 58 buses in Redditch that services stopping at the hospital are still available.

The new 57A and 58A services, which started operating on Sunday, June 8, are run by Diamond Buses and replace First's 57 and 58 services that used to stop at the hospital.

Each 57A/58A service runs every 40 minutes to maintain a link from the Alex to the east of Redditch, including stops in Church Hill, Winyates, Matchborough and Woodrow.

Councillor Derek Prodger MBE, the council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "We realise how important the 57 and 58 services are to many residents, especially those who rely on public transport to get to the hospital.

"With that in mind we've worked hard with Diamond Buses, as part of our Redditch Passenger Transport Area Review, to ensure bus links would remain in place for those people needing them most."

And Matchborough councillor Juliet Brunner said: "I'm really pleased we were able to get this solution. I've been inundated with calls from people concerned about this.

"While it's not on the same lines as before, it is something. What we need is for people to use this route so we don't lose it and support this bus company."

Other changes to bus services in Redditch have also taken place.

There are timetable revisions to the 68 bus service. There are timetable and route changes for the 143 and X3 bus services, with new replacement service X3A replacing the withdrawn X3 service journeys.

There are minor timetable revisions for the 51 bus service, and minor timetable and route changes to the 55/56.

A new bus service, 69, will be introduced operating as a circular route between Redditch, Batchley and Webheath.

A summary of changes to all local bus services is available at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/bustimetables.