BUS links between Marlborough and its satellite villages will be improved by new services being launched by the Wiltshire Wigglybus.

The service for the Kennet Valley was re-launched this week with a new hourly morning and early afternoon connection between Avebury and Marlborough.

The bus will serve Beckhampton, East and West Kennett, West Overton, Lockeridge, Fyfield, Clatford and Manton. Improvements will also see Calne linked to Marlborough through better peak-time and off-peak services, many of which will be direct between the two towns.

Buses will run hourly from 9.35am to 2.35pm between Avebury and Marlborough, with return journeys from Marlborough running from 10am, 11am, noon and 2pm.

The new service is designed to connect with the number 49 bus at Avebury, which travels to Trowbridge, Devizes and Swindon.

A peak-time service for commuters will run to arrive in Marlborough at 8.45am, having left Calne at 8.05am and running through Kennet Valley villages between 8.20am and 8.40am.

Journeys home include a 5.45pm bus from Marlborough serving all the villages and continuing to Calne.

In addition, there will be a shoppers' bus to Devizes on Thursdays and Saturdays, leaving Marlborough at 10am and returning at 1.20pm.