An evening bus service between Malvern and Ledbury has completed a successful first year in operation.

The service linking Malvern, West Malvern, Malvern Wells, Colwall and Ledbury helps to put venues such as Malvern Theatres, Ledbury Market Theatre and Club Nine nightclub in Malvern within easy reach for passengers.

Organisers say the service, which runs from 6pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, has been very popular, although the original Thursday night service is due to be discontinued through lack of use.

Phil Browning, chairman of the local transport group behind the project, said: "We're very pleased with how the service has gone. It's reliable, with accommodating clean and tidy buses.

"We didn't expect every seat to be filled but the Friday and Saturday night services have been very popular."

Mr Browning said the service attracted customers of all ages, and brought people into villages.

"We have a group of young people from Ledbury who go to Colwall regularly to enjoy a relaxing evening in the village," he said.

The project, which received a £50,000 start-up grant from Countryside Agency's Parish Transport scheme is due to run for three years. However, the discontinuation of the Thursday service may extend the project by a further six months.

"After that we'll start looking for further funding to keep the project going," said Mr Browning.

"We also want to make people aware that the service exists and is there to be used. The more users we have, the better."

A bus timetable for the service will be in operation within the next two weeks.