The 747 bus service is secure until at least January 2021 thanks to Rutland County Council and Leicestershire County Council.

The two local authorities have announced a joint funding agreement with Centrebus to support the service, which runs from Leicester to Uppingham, until 4 January, 2021.

They originally agreed to continue the service in January 2017, after Centrebus announced the 747 was no longer cost-effective to run on a commercial basis.

The latest agreement follows an assessment and review of current bus usage in a bid to deliver value-for-money services.

Lucy Stephenson, Cabinet Member for Transport at Rutland County Council, said: "We recognise that the 747 is essential for many people who travel between Uppingham and Leicester so we have agreed to extra funding to support this valuable service.

"We will continue to work closely with local communities, Leicestershire County Council and Centrebus to try and encourage greater use of the service and ensure its future sustainability."

Blake Pain, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Leicestershire County Council, said: "We have been carefully reviewing all the bus services which we support, in line with our Passenger Transport Policy and Strategy to ensure that we are providing fit for purpose and cost effective services.

"I am pleased that we have worked alongside Rutland County Council to continue to support the service to these communities for the foreseeable future."

The 747 service runs from Leicester through Thurnby, Bushby, Houghton on the Hill, Billesdon, Skeffington, Tugby, East Norton, Belton in Rutland, to Uppingham.