Yorkshire's celebrity bus the Northern Dalesman faces funding cut

A rural Yorkshire bus service which shot to fame when it appeared on a reality TV show could be axed.

The Northern Dalesman featured in the BBC4 documentary All Aboard The Country Bus, a one-off special which filmed passengers on its winding journey from Richmond to Ingleton.

But funding cuts could mean the charity that runs the service is unable to subsidise it further.

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Currently, the running costs of the bus, which serves picturesque Swaledale, are higher than the income generated by paying passengers.

Almost a million people watched the 'slow TV' film depicting a typical day on the Dalesman's route when it was broadcast last summer. Cameras shot the 40-mile journey and recorded conversations between those on board.

A crowdfunding appeal has now been launched in the hope of attracting public donations from fans. The Dalesman is popular with tourists but also provides vital connectivity for local residents. It is one of the few ways that visitors without a car can access the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Charity the Yorkshire Dales Society and its partners still need to plug a £3,000 shortfall in funding for the summer 2017 season.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/yorkshiredales-society/NorthernDalesman2017.