DIGNITARIES from Gloucester, Ross-on-Wye and Hereford have hailed a newly enhanced rural bus route.

Stagecoach West held an official launch event for the newly revamped route 33 service on Friday.

It provides a direct link between Hereford and Gloucester, where the old 33 service terminated at Ross-on-Wye so passengers for Hereford had to change buses.

The new service will run every hour during the day, Monday to Saturday.

Ian Manning, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: "Now passengers will be able to enjoy the benefits of more through journeys which we hope will encourage more people to travel with us and take advantage of our value for money fares."

He was joined by the mayor of Hereford, deputy mayor of Ross-on-Wye, leader of Gloucestershire County Council and others at the re-launch.