Businesses start free bus service in south Cumbria

The South Lakes FreeRider will operate weekdays between 10 locations

A free bus service has begun operating in south Cumbria after businesses joined together to fund the scheme.

The South Lakes FreeRider will operate weekdays between 10 locations, from Mondays to Fridays until 2nd September.

The hourly service will offer eight shuttles a day, collecting and dropping off visitors at 10 attractions and accommodation providers.

It is hoped that visitors and residents will travel between attractions in the Cartmel peninsula without using cars.

Windermere Lake Cruises, Cartmel Village Store and Lakeside Hotel are among businesses behind the scheme.

Nigel Wilkinson, managing director for Windermere Lake Cruises, said: "We decided that in the current economic climate it was vital we came together to work in partnership with other businesses, rather than seeing each other as competitors and the result is our innovative new South Lakes FreeRider."