A bus operator has announced a special cheaper early evening ticket deal it introduced over Christmas will remain in place indefinitely.

Stagecoach says the start of its Eveningrider ticket - which used to become valid from 7pm - will remain at 6pm.

The bus company adjusted the start time in November bringing it forward an hour so that Christmas shoppers and party goers could benefit from an extra hour's unlimited bus travel.

Now the company will make the change permanent allowing bus travellers to use the ticket from 6pm every day.

The Eveningrider ticket, which costs £3 on the bus firm’s smartphone app, is valid for unlimited travel on all Stagecoach buses in the south east.

Matthew Arnold, Stagecoach commercial director, said: “More and more people want to get out in the evenings especially as the days begin to get longer.

"Whether it’s to meet friends, go to the gym, dining out or seeing a film, by starting our evening ticket an hour earlier, we hope more people will choose to get about on the bus.”