SHOPPERS heading to York's new £90 million shopping centre are being provided with extra bus journeys.

The John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Next stores at the Vangarde Shopping Park at Monks Cross opened last week, and Park&Ride journeys to the site now start from 6.30am on weekdays with evening services running as late as 9pm. Bus operator First, with City of York Council, has also added an extra Sunday morning journey from the city-centre to help store staff get to work.

Details are at firstgroup.com/ukbus/york. Coun Dave Merrett, cabinet member for transport, said: "By providing even more bus journeys in this area, First York is helping us to reduce some of the impact of the expected increased traffic congestion."

York's Dial&Ride service is also offering extra journeys from Huntington, Strensall and Haxby to Vangarde, and bookings can be made by phoning 01904 551441. Stephen Mortimer, chairman of the York Wheels trustees, said: "We are sure many of our customers will want to see what is on offer."