A FIVE-YEAR restoration project has come to fruition with the re-introduction of a historic coastal bus service.

A 1960s Daimler Fleetline open-top bus is now operating every Sunday from Bournemouth town centre to Hengistbury Head until August 25.

The service is operated by the Bear Cross Bus Company which was established in 2014 to preserve, restore and operate some former Bournemouth Corporation Transport buses that date between 1950 and 1965.

As it has no museum premises of its own to display the buses the company needed a means to show the buses to the public and enthusiasts.

The traditional Bournemouth to Hengistbury Head Coastal Service Route 12 had fallen by the wayside so it was decided that the iconic and scenic route would ideally serve the purpose of displaying the buses and allow the public to ride on them.

For the last two years a 1950 Leyland Tital open platform double-decker has operated the route, but the plan was always to use one of the original Daimler Fleetline open-top double-deckers that were new in 1965.

This plan has finally been realised this year following more than five years of extensive restoration work to get it fit for service.

The whole service is run by a very small number of unpaid volunteers, some of whom also have paid jobs also have paid jobs to maintain. These people do everything from restoration work, designing and posting timetables and publicity leaflets, liaising with the authorities about the route operation, not to mention driving and conducting.

The service will until August and will make five round trips each Sunday.

It will leave Gervis Place at 10.40am, midday, 1.48pm, 3.10pm and 4.33pm.

A round-trip will cost £7 for adults and £4 for children with family tickets costing £20 and seniors £6.

Day tickets are also available and other options are available because passengers can get on an off at any stop.

A spokesman for the Bear Cross Bus Company said the days of operation are limited by time and money constraints because it is run by volunteers.