Whitstable’s new park and ride service began on Saturday. The trial service, supported by the Kentish Gazette, is operated by Kent Top Travel and managed by Canterbury council.

Organisers hope the service will be heavily used during the Whitstable Oyster Festival this weekend. Buses will run about every 15 minutes from 8am-7pm on Saturdays and Sundays and costs £1 for adults, 50p for children under 16, and is free for children under five.

There are 80 spaces available in the car park of Gazette House on the Estuary View Business Park and another 100 overspill places at the George Wilson car park next door.

Among the first people to use the service were Simon and Jo Wakeman, from Whitstable, with their children Oliver, five, and Toby, two.

They decided to use the bus to the town centre to avoid the usual weekend traffic congestion and parking problems. "Using park and ride means we can still shop locally,” said Mr Wakeman.