PEOPLE power is behind a decision by Tesco bosses to provide a new free bus service to its Chorley store from Leyland.

The move comes after the store received a flood of phone calls from concerned Leyland residents, backed up with a letter from local councillor Geoff Knowles.

Mr Knowles was worried that elderly residents living in Jubilee and Chestnut Court do not have anywhere suitable to shop at that end of Leyland.

Kirsti Robinson, of Tesco, Chorley, said: "We decided to put a new Leyland service on after receiving a lot of phone calls and a letter from Geoff Knowles.

"We assessed the areas that needed the service most and set to work on our new Leyland route." From Monday (May 15) all routes starting from Fox Lane through the town to Tesco are now running Monday, Wednesday and Friday -- excluding Bank Holidays.

Previously, Tesco had two services running from Coppull to the store, but due to the lack of interest, the afternoon service was dropped.

Coun Knowles said he was delighted. He said: "I'm very happy to hear of the news that Tesco is to run this new service.

"In my opinion, it's essential that the elderly people living at the Fox Lane end of Leyland retain their independence.

"There's absolutely nowhere in Leyland for them to shop. Everything is just too far away and they shouldn't be expected to walk a long distance laden with shopping."

He added: "It's superb that Tesco has listened to its customers, and now gone ahead with its plans."