A LONG-ESTABLISHED coach and tour operator is to launch local bus services on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council.

Eddie Brown Tours will operate four services from Monday.

The services are the 131/132/134 Ripon City Service, the 142/143 Ripon to Boroughbridge and York, the 56/56A/57/57A/58 Boroughbridge to Ripon, Knaresborough and Harrogate and the 412/413 service from Wetherby to York.

“The investment in low floor wheelchair accessible vehicles to operate these local bus services is an important part of long-term plans to expand the company’s diverse portfolio of contract and private hire business after moving to a purpose-built new depot at Thorp Arch in 2010,” said a spokesman.

“As a long-established coach and tour operator with over 60 years’ experience, Eddie Brown tours will be bringing their high operational standards to these bus services and delivering a quality customer service to the local community.” Timetables for the new services can be viewed or downloaded at www.eddiebrowntours.com or requested by post through the company’s travel centre, based at Thorp Arch, by phoning 01423 321246.