One-off free Sunday bus services will run to a number of Leicestershire towns so people can enjoy festive events.
The move is part of a bigger drive to encourage people to consider travelling by bus to attend Christmas light switch-ons, local markets and other Yuletide celebrations.
Temporary festive timetables will help residents from various outlying towns and villages access Christmas festivals, fares and markets in Loughborough, Melton, Coalville, and Market Bosworth being held on a Sunday.
The additional services will be free to use on a number of specific routes, on a first-come-first-served basis.
Councillor Adam Tilbury, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “There are some fantastic local markets, festive events and Christmas light displays planned across the county that can be easily accessed by Leicestershire’s bus services.
“Joining in with local celebrations helps support the economies of local towns and villages and by using county bus services, people are able to stay connected this winter.
“The additional one-off services being put on will ensure buses will be available to people wanting to join in with specific festivities being held on a Sunday.”
The temporary services are being put on with Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding from the government.
Services will be delivered by operators on behalf of Leicestershire Buses, a partnership between the county council and local bus operators which aims to deliver projects to promote local bus services.
As part of this, the council has this year launched and re-designed 22 bus services across the county, focusing on connecting key town centres, local attractions and leisure sites.
The full timetables as well as local event information is available on the Choose How You Move website.