Somerfield supermarket in Liskeard is to introduce a free bus service to the store, serving many outlying villages and the outer parts of the town. In operation from May 2, the bus will bring people into Liskeard from Polperro, Looe, Dobwalls, Darite, Callington and St Germans, stopping at other villages along the way.

The new service comes as Somerfield in Saltash closes for eight weeks, before being taken over by Waitrose.

Somerfield's deputy manager said that many shoppers from Callington and Looe had used the Saltash store. The new service aims to allow people from areas not included in the Liskeard branch home delivery service to continue using Somerfield.

Manager Alan Yeo said: 'We are committed to the town centre and to bringing people into Liskeard to shop. The bus service is a complement to our home delivery service.'

At present the bus will run from Monday to Saturday, serving each village between 1-3 times a week. The service will stop outside the Somerfield store and allow people approximately an hour in the centre of Liskeard.

The timetable and routes may be altered slightly after a trial period, depending on demand for the service.

Liskeard Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the new service.

Chamber spokeswoman Jane Pascoe said the store had consulted the chamber before it went ahead.

'We think it is a welcome service for the people of the town', she said. 'It will bring people into the centre of Liskeard and hopefully benefit other shops as well.'