It is part of a £20m spending plan by Transport Minister John Spellar to improve public transport in rural areas in England.

The government's Rural Bus Challenge aims to improve rural public transport provision, and normally tries to break away from supporting conventional scheduled bus services.

But it is backing an enhancement to the X35 which runs between Barrow and Kendal.

Disabled passengers

It is getting almost £806,000 to provide new low floor buses.

These will help older and disabled passengers, including those in wheelchairs, as the service picks up many such people in Grange-over-Sands.

Buses will run more frequently, which the government says will help people access jobs and services.

The X35 is a Cumbria County Council bus route - and Stagecoach currently operates the services on its behalf.