A VINTAGE bus is adding some nostalgic style to public transport across one of the most scenic landscapes in the country.

A lovingly-restored Leyland bus, dating from 1946, will be plying across the North York Moors for the next four weeks.

It will run every Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday to various heritage sites, including Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley Castle and the Ryedale Folk Museum.

The bus has been in the ownership of John Smith and Sons, of Thirsk, since they took delivery of it almost 60 years ago.

Regularly used in period films and for private parties, it was painstakingly restored to its original condition by enthusiast Granville Smith, who now drives it.

The park's tourism and transport officer, Bill Breakell, said: "We are really excited that visitors can now experience travel as it was almost 60 years ago, and, at the same time visit attractions that have been an important part of our heritage for centuries."

And Ryedale's tourism officer, Sarah Ward, said: "The vintage bus will enable visitors to enjoy northern Ryedale in a way familiar to them from popular TV series such as Heartbeat and All Creatures Great and Small.

"Passengers on the vintage bus have the freedom of the Moorsbus network, and can enjoy the stunning countryside and see some of the most important historic sites in the area without needing a car".

The bus provides additional services between the market town of Helmsley and England's largest Cistercian abbey at Rievaulx, as well as to nearby Rievaulx Terrace and Temples.

owned by the National Trust.

It also runs between Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Fadmoor and Gillamoor to the Ryedale Folk Museum in the picturesque village of Hutton le Hole.