Life is set to get easier for shoppers and commuters after improvements to a south Oxfordshire bus service.

Links between Wallingford and Abingdon have been boosted with the introduction of a new hourly direct service.

The link, which is being introduced by the Goring-based operators Thames Travel, will also benefit Dorchester, Shillingford and Clifton Hampden.

Until now passengers have had to wait two hours for a bus between the towns. Wallingford Town Council's parish transport representative Dr Chris Huntingford said: "Three buses arrive in each town before 9am, meaning it is ideal for commuters. It is good enough to make more people working in Wallingford and Abingdon leave their cars at home."

He added: "The improvement has come about through close collaboration between the town council, the bus operator, the county council, and passengers."