THE new shuttle bus service between Andover and Winchester hospitals has been formally launched by North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young.

It was the culmination of hard work and negotiations involving Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust, Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council.

Sir George, a former transport minister, said the genesis of the project was a heated public meeting two or three years ago about the future of Andover War Memorial Hospital, when everyone agreed there should be better public transport between the two sites.

He told Martin Wakeley chief exective of the Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Healthcare Trust: "Of course the real reason why we need this shuttle service is so that the people of Winchester will be able to come to Andover to benefit from the wide range of new treatments that you are going to provide in Andover in the years ahead."

And he added: "Both as a former transport minister and as local MP and a supporter of Andover hospital, it's marvellous to be here and to formally launch this new service."

After the launch the bus - which is run by AMK Chauffeur Drive Ltd - had its inaugural run to The Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The bus has nine seats at the moment, although there is capacity to increase the number if necessary, with wheelchair access.

There will be four return journeys every week day starting at 8am with the last bus leaving the town at 3pm and returning to Andover at 4.50pm.

The bus winds its way down the A3057, calling at Andover bus station and Stockbridge - outside the White Hart pub.

Trust chief executive Martin Wakeley said: "If this is as successful as I hope it will be then we'll be looking towards broadening the number of stops that we make and, indeed, looking at the capacity of the bus service in the future."

To book a space on the bus patients should call 01428 751530 between 9am and 5pm - and no later than 3pm the day before their appointment.