TV funny man Griff Rhys Jones will be wearing a different hat when he appears at The Compasses public house in Holbrook tomorrow – he is launching a new rural bus service.

TV funny man Griff Rhys Jones will be wearing a different hat when he appears at The Compasses public house in Holbrook tomorrow – he is launching a new rural bus service.

The village is the first to launch the new Suffolk Buscycle – where passengers can load their bicycle onto a purpose-built trailer, ride on the bus and use their bike to complete their journey.

Neville Jephcote, the Rural Transport Partnership Manager at Suffolk ACRE is managing the service and said: "The objective of Buscycle is to extend transport services to people in rural areas. We hope that the concept of combining buses with bikes will help people living in more remote locations and also encourage people to use the healthier option of the bike rather than the car" said Mr Jephcote.

There are two Buscycle routes: one runs from Holbrook, via Stutton and Brantham to Manningtree town and rail station. The other runs north of Ipswich starting at Debenham community centre via Earl Stonham, the A140 and the old A45 via Barham and Claydon to Ipswich rail station. Services are due to start on May 13, information is available from 01473 462721.

Suffolk ACRE is a registered charity and was set up in 1937. Its primary purpose is to promote the vitality of all communities in rural Suffolk.

The sum of £275,000 has been awarded through the Rural Bus Challenge Fund by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The Countryside Agency has awarded £144,000 from the Rural Transport Partnership fund. A further £3,000 has been provided by Babergh District Council.

The money will pay for purchase of the vehicles and trailers, new hardstandings and bus shelters, bike lockers, and a subsidy towards running costs. Suffolk ACRE will administer the scheme with assistance from Suffolk County Council's Environment and Transport Department, the buses will be run by Gemini Travel of Ipswich.

The Buscycle is the first purchase of these custom-designed cycle trailers that are manufactured by Jason Engineering Systems of Southampton.

It is planned that the bus used for the Holbrook/Manningtree route at peak times, will be used for local community transport at other times of the day.

Timetables and further information for the public is available by calling 01473 462721.

Griff Rhys Jones will be at the Compasses at 10.30am tomorrow.