Buses to run to the abandoned village of Imber

The annual Imberbus day started in 2009

Nearly 40 routemaster buses will be travelling around Salisbury Plain on Saturday, taking people to the abandoned village of Imber.

Owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the village is only opened on certain days of the year as it is a training area.

Last year, about 4,000 people took the Imberbus trip, which raised £35,000 for charity.

The village is now abandoned after residents were evicted in 1943 to allow the military to use it for training in World War Two. It has remained empty since.

The annual Imberbus day has been going since 2009, when it started with four buses.

It now includes vintage and modern red routemaster buses which are donated by companies for the day. Crews from all over the country also donate their time.

While the Imberbus will only run on Saturday, Imber village has other open days during the year where visitors have to find their own way there.

The village is used for military training and is only open to the public on certain days

Michael Meilton is one of those overseeing the operation and said buses will start at 9:30 BST from Warminster, but also go to some nearby villages.

There will be buses leaving Warminster Station every 10 to 15 minutes and returning from Imber until 17:30 BST.

Imber will have its church open to see as well as the scenery.

Buses also going to Tilshead, Chitterne, New Zealand Farm Camp, West Lavington, Market Lavington and Brazen Bottom are on at least twice an hour too, with alternative parking at Chitterne.

The church is one of the original buildings there and will be open

Tea and cake is available in most of the villages, with historical displays in a couple too and an exhibition on at The Athenaeum in Warminster.

Mr Meilton said some travel to multiple villages to test the all the refreshments.

There are no in advance tickets - people need to turn up and pay on the day, with cash being the best option. Card payments are only available at Warminster Station.

It will cost £10 for adults and £2 for children.

"What's so special is seeing the faces of people who have taken their son or grandson for a ride on the bus to Imber," added Mr Meilton.