A BUS service connecting Ilkley and the Yorkshire Dales has been spared amid sweeping cutbacks to North Yorkshire public transport, but with a reduced service from April 11.

Following many complaints from bus users and local businesses, cuts planned on two services on Wharfedale have been revised, as North Yorkshire County Council cut subsidies to save money.

The 74 service between Ilkley and Grassington will no longer serve Appletreewick and will run only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The Saturday service is supported by the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company and is timed to allow passengers to visit to Bolton Abbey, Burnsall and Grassington, complementing Sunday DalesBus services.

These remain unaltered until the summer Sunday services are introduced on May 1.

Chairman of Dales & Bowland CIC, Chris Nash, said: "DalesBus provides a vital service for everyone in the Dales but with operators now taking commercial risks the services will only survive if people use them on a regular basis."

A new North Yorkshire minibus route 75 will provide some buses to Hebden and Appletreewick..

For full details of DalesBus timetables and services, visit dalesbus.org or see leaflets in visitor information centres and local shops, or call Traveline on (0871) 200 2233.