A linear light source includes an LED, an LED drive circuit substrate disposed on a frame, a flexible substrate on which an electric supply pattern is formed and to which the LED is attached at one end and the LED drive circuit is attached at the other end, a linear light guide and a heat sink. The one end of the flexible substrate is attached to the heat sink. A face of the heat sink covered by the LED and a face of the one end of the flexible substrate are perpendicular to the light guide and to a substrate face of the LED drive circuit substrate, while a face of the other end of the flexible substrate is parallel to the light guide and a substrate face of the LED drive circuit substrate. A bent portion is formed between the two ends of the flexible substrate.