Chuffed business bosses welcome news that Keighley's London rail link has got off to a flying start.

Last week we revealed that more than 7,500 passengers had used the direct Skipton-Keighley-London service in its first six months.

The train, which runs to London Kings Cross each weekday morning with a return service in the evening, was launched last September. Keighley Business Forum was instrumental in bringing the venture to fruition.

Graham Mitchell, KBF's project officer, is delighted at the passenger figures. He says: "It's excellent. The Business Forum has always been in support of this new facility."

Forum director Iain Copping adds: "I know many people have found this service very useful. These figures are extremely encouraging and I hope they continue to rise."

Operator GNER says it has been encouraged by the number of people using the train for journeys to London and as a link to intermediate stations.

Spokesman David Mallender says: "We have got off to a good start and expect passenger numbers to continue to grow during the rest of this first full year of operation."

The service provides a direct rail link between Skipton and London for the first time in 22 years. A high-speed diesel train leaves Skipton at 6.54am calling at Keighley at 7.05am and then Shipley before arriving in London at 9.47am.

The return train leaves Kings Cross at 5.50pm and arrives in Keighley at 8.39pm.

For details and reservations phone 08457 225 225.

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