ORGANISERS of a rural bus service are busy trying to secure money to continue operating it before funding runs out next month.

The Sphere taxi-bus service serves the villages of Suckley, Bransford, Leigh and Lulsley, taking passengers to Malvern on Friday nights and Worcester on Saturday nights.

It was launched in 2004, with a three-year funding programme, but this funding will run out next month, and organisers are now busy seeking grants to keep it running for a further three years.

Sphere spokesman Malcolm Scott, said: "I'm just in the process of filling out grant application forms to Advantage West Midlands, to continue running the service.

"We have sought advice from Worcestershire County Council on this and they gave a favourable response, so we're feeling quite positive about it."

It was set up by a group of representatives from the parish councils involved and is now operated by Hello Taxis.

For a £1 fee, villagers can call the service on demand, picking them up and dropping them off close to their doors.

Mr Scott said user numbers had been steady in recent months, and encouraged as many villagers as possible to use the service.

He is hoping to get a decision on grant funding by the end of the month.