Ashford to Dymchurch summer bus service relaunched

The "beach bus" runs on Route 500

A special summer bus service linking a town in central Kent to the county's coast has been relaunched.

Stagecoach's "beach bus" runs on new Route 500 from Ashford to Dymchurch, on the coast of Romney Marsh.

Launched on Saturday, it will continue until 31 August.

The operator ran a similar service from Ashford to Camber Sands in Sussex last summer.

For the upcoming half-term, buses will run every day until 1 June, then just at weekends.

A daily service will resume from 23 July for the school summer holidays, with a day return costing £6.

It will run four times a day between the two towns, with the last bus from Dymchurch High Street leaving at 18:50 BST, and the service also linking to Ashford railway station.

Dymchurch is a popular destination for visitors in the summer

Stagecoach operations manager, Kim Brooks said: "It's really all about making the seaside accessible this summer in a way that can enhance social connection on a trip with family or friends."

Noel Ovenden, leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: "We're really excited to join this campaign for the second year running.

"There's no place like the beach in the summer and we hope that our residents make the most of this offer with Stagecoach."