A NEW bus service providing easy and free access to the dramatic east Durham coastline has been unveiled.

Durham’s Heritage Coast will be encompassed in the route of the Little Tern Coastal Bus – named after the area’s most famous feathered visitors.

The service, commissioned to run on weekends and bank holidays throughout the summer, is funded by the LEADER, part of the Rural Development Programme for England.

Local drivers from East Durham Community Transport will operate the service and provide information on the coast, while passengers will be offered the chance to complete a questionnaire that will help improve services for future visits.

Durham Heritage Coast Officer Niall Benson said: “We’re really pleased to have funding for this new bus service. “It will hopefully encourage even more people to explore this fascinating stretch of coastline.

“Travelling by bus is a very green and convenient way to get around. And it means walkers, including their dogs, can jump on and off depending on how far they want to go.”

The service will be launched on Saturday, May 25 to co-incide with Low Tide Day – a family event at Seaham Hall Beach car park from 11am to 3pm.

The bus runs from Salterfen Rocks, near Ryhope in the north, to Crimdon Beck in the south, stopping at at Seaham, Dawdon (Nose’s Point), Cold Hesleden, Hawthorn, Easington Village, Easington Colliery, Horden, Blackhall and Crimdon. The service starts at 9.20am with the last bus arriving back at the starting point at 5.58pm.

For more information on the bus for Low Tide Day call 03000-268131.