A TRAVEL firm is offering free trips to and from coronavirus vaccination appointments.

Bus operator Transdev says that anyone using service run by Rosso, the Blackburn Bus Company and the Burnley Bus Company in the Bury area to go to get their jabs can now do so freely.

This comes after similar arrangements were put in place throughout Lancashire.

Rosso Operations Manager Phil Harris said: “We want to do our bit to help everyone who gets the call to get the jab, without having to worry about how to get there.

"Our buses serve many parts of the Bury Council area and can make travelling to a vaccination appointment straightforward and hassle free.

"All anyone travelling to or from a vaccination has to do is show our driver a text or email on their mobile phone, or a letter or other printed document, confirming their appointment for that day, then just take a seat and leave the driving to us."

Rosso runs services throughout Bury, Rochdale, Littleborough and Rossendale, with a network of routes reaching Bolton, Blackburn, Burnley and Todmorden.

The offer covers travel to and from Covid jab appointments at centres including Bury itself plus Ramsbottom and Fairfield General Hospital and provides a free return journey on any service.

Bury Council leader cllr Eamonn O’Brien said: "It is vital that all those eligible for their vaccination get their shots.

"We know that accessing the sites can still be a challenge for some residents – especially those without transport of their own – so I really welcome this initiative from Rosso and their parent company, Transdev.

"By removing barriers and making it easier for residents to get to our local sites, we hope to be able to get as many people vaccinated as we can and keep us all safe from Covid.”

To find out more, go to: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/rosso.