A rural bus service linking communities on the Mendips has been saved after coach operator Bakers Dolphin stepped in.

The Weston-super-Mare operator has taken on the axed service 668 after winning a tender from Somerset county council.

It means residents living in Shipham, Churchill and Lower Langford, previously served by the 668, will continue to have links with other towns.

These include Street, Glastonbury, Meare, Westhay, Wedmore and Cocklake.

Max Fletcher, operations director of Bakers Dolphin, said: "We realise how important these links are for the communities on the Mendips. That is why we are investing in a new minibus so that people travel in a reliable and comfortable vehicle.

"The service will operate Monday to Saturday and the timetable is slightly different to the old 668 service so passengers should check their time of travel.

"At peak times the service will link in to buses for Bristol from Lower Langford."