Rural bus services in the West Midlands are to receive a boost with the award of nearly �2m of Government cash.

Transport Minister Tony McNulty said the money would be spent on improving passenger choice and access to essential services and facilities.

Five bus projects in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire are to share �1.9m.

A total of �20.3m is to be awarded to 42 bus projects across England following the 2003 Rural Bus Challenge competition.

'Tackling exclusion'

Mr McNulty said: "The �20m Rural Bus Challenge funding will bring real benefits to many rural communities which are currently not well served by public transport.

"Once again this demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving transport choice and improving access to essential services and facilities for those living in rural areas.

"The awards also show our continuing commitment to supporting community transport organisations and the valuable role that they play in meeting local transport needs and tackling social exclusion."

The recipients of the money include the Bridgnorth Community Bus Service, which is to receive �175,000 and another Shropshire project, the Church Stretton Ring and Ride, which is being awarded �260,000.

Just over �175,000 is being given to the Gnosall Rail Link service in Staffordshire and a cash award of nearly �600,000 is being made to the "Buster Werkenbak" project, which aims to make it easier for people in deprived areas of north Warwickshire to travel to work.

And in Worcestershire, �683,000 is being given to the Connecting Wyre project to set up a new service linking Bewdley, Stourport-on-Severn, Hartlebury and Kidderminster.