The council said bus firms found the rural area uneconomical

West Sussex County Council said the service, linking several villages in the Arun Valley, would improve access to Pulborough Medical Centre.

The cost of the twice-weekly service is being met by a developer, Councillor Tex Pemberton said.

But Lt Col Pemberton added that passenger numbers would be "crucial" when the service was finally reviewed.

Circular route

"It is very much a case of use it or lose it," he said.

"This is a rural area where bus companies have found it uneconomic to operate commercial services," he added.

Villagers will be able to take the bus to the medical centre, and also use it for trips to local shops.

The circular route will include stops in Amberley, Bury, Thakeham, Coldwaltham, West Chiltington, and Storrington, running on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The authority said that Service 73 - which will be operated by bus company Compass and starts on Tuesday - would give people either 90 minutes or three hours for shopping or to keep a medical appointment.