Whitchurch mayor, Councillor Tony Neville is hoping people continue to use the town’s bus service after he officially declared it open on Monday.

Cllr Neville was on hand to launch the town’s latest bus service – the 205 operated by Lakeside Coaches from Ellesmere – alongside his wife, Pat, and the company’s director, Gareth Davies.

And he was equally delighted by the company’s decision to order a brand-new vehicle.

“It means a lot to me that the people of Whitchurch who aren’t always able to make it into town can use this service and be brought straight into the town centre,” he said.

“It was also pleasing to know that to celebrate winning the contract, Lakeside understand that to provide as best a service they can for this town, they have provided us with a new bus.

“I hope as many people use this service as possible over the next five years.”

Mr Davies added: “The brand new bus dedicated to the route was driven on its first day by the very experienced Benedito Pousadas and Andy Gorman-Jones from Lakeside’s Bus Division and to ensure a smooth launch bus supervisor John Fielding was in attendance.”