Gloucestershire shuttle bus laid on to daffodil fields

The wild daffodil is the county flower of Gloucestershire

A free shuttle bus service is being trialled so people can see Gloucestershire's famous daffodil displays.

Over the next two weekends, Buses4U will provide a free shuttle minibus from Newent Lake Car park to the Daffodil Way in Dymock.

Every March people flock to the area, known as the "golden triangle", to observe the colourful displays.

This year visitors will also benefit from better access to footpaths.

Gloucestershire County Council has replaced 24 stiles with kissing gates along the footpaths in Kempley.

The daffodil "golden triangle" draws huge crowds to the Dymock area each spring

This year, daffodil weekends in Kempley, Oxenhall and Dymock will include refreshments for visitors, guided daffodil walks, stalls, displays and children's activities.

For people without access to a car, or who prefer to travel sustainably, there has not previously been a public transport option.

"The narrow lanes around Kempley and Oxenhall become clogged with visiting cars somewhat taking the shine off the natural splendours people have come to see," said Clare Stone, Chair of the Buses4Us community interest company.

"This year, with financial support from Kempley and Rail & Bus for Herefordshire we are delighted to be providing a free shuttle bus from Newent to Kempley on the weekend of 16 and 17 March, and Newent to Oxenhall and Betty Dawes Wood on the weekend of 23 and 24 March."

The minibuses will operate throughout each weekend linking with the 32 and 232 bus services at Newent and giving people travelling from Gloucester, Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury the chance to see the daffodils.

"This is a trial service," said Martin Brocklehurst, chair of Kempley Parish Council.

"And if it is well-used we would hope to expand it next year."