LYDNEY'S new-look bus station has been handed over to community transport group Dial-a-Ride.

Forest MP Mark Harper officially opened the charity's new premises following restoration and refurbishment of the bus station which started at the beginning of the year.

Dial-a-Ride, which runs a range of local bus and home-to-school services for Gloucestershire County Council, has taken over day-to-day running of the bus station.

Mr Harper praised the work of Dial-a-Ride and the volunteer drivers in particular who do so much more than just drive.

He said: "They do that bit extra and enable people to have a proper social life, to go out and meet their friends."

Improvements to the bus station by Gloucestershire County Council include a replacement roof, windows and doors and a fully refurbished waiting area which will display all local bus services.

The leader of Gloucestershire County Council, Councillor Mark Hawthorne, said Dial-a-Ride was a good example of the new ways in which the council is working with partners and added that the charity had "stepped up to the plate".

Dial-a-Ride has moved its operations from Lydney Town Hall and has also opened its charity shop at the station.

Manager Louise Currie said: "Our members  will have easier access to  our organisation  and we'll be integrated with the local public bus services. We're looking  forward to helping the public find services they can access from any  provider as well as encouraging them to look around our shop  and hopefully find a bargain. All revenue generated  from the shop goes back into the charity and we're now looking to the local people of Lydney  to help make this venture a success."