Changes are being made to local bus services in a bid to improve access to employment, education, healthcare, shopping and leisure opportunities.

Cheshire East Council launched the latest phase of its Bus Service Improvement Plan on Monday, September 28.

This includes the introduction of evening and Sunday services on the Congleton 'Beartown' network, along with more frequent services on the 39 route between Crewe and Nantwich.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "These improvements represent another significant investment in Cheshire East's bus network and respond to what residents have told us they need.

"Reliable bus services are essential for helping people get to work, education, healthcare appointments, shops or visit family and friends.

"Therefore, these improvements will help ensure communities in the Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton areas are better connected, especially in the evenings and weekends.

"These enhancements will help make bus travel a practical choice for many residents, which reflects in the growth of our bus network and passenger numbers."

Cheshire East say that residents in Congleton will benefit from 'significant improvements' to the Beartown network.

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New evening services are to be introduced on routes 90, 91, 92, 93A and 93C from Monday to Saturday, running approximately every 90 minutes between 6.30pm and 10.45pm.

Then, starting October 4, the council will introduce daytime Sunday and public holiday services across the Beartown network.

This will create seven-day bus provision, addressing a 'longstanding gap' in local public transport.