A new free evening bus service will help women in Deal and Dover get home safely this Christmas.

The 'Angel Express' will operate for females only on Friday and Saturdays nights over three weekends from December 3.

With seats for up to 70 residents, it will transport women into Dover town centre where they can enjoy a night out before returning them home again.

The first collection will be from Aylesham Health Centre at 7pm, picking up from Mill Hill at 7.30pm, Buckland Community Centre at 7.45pm and St Radigund’s Community Centre at 7.55pm.

All passengers will then be dropped off in Pencester Road around 8pm.

The return journey will depart at 11pm from Pencester Gardens bus stop. All drop off points will be overseen by police officers.

Free tickets, which entitle travel both ways, must be reserved in advance via Eventbrite.

The pilot scheme has been developed by Dover District Council’s Community Safety team with the support of the Dover District Community Safety Partnership, and will run conjunction with Bayliss coaches.

DDC deputy leader and cabinet member for the community, Cllr Oliver Richardson, said: “In this current day and age, no female should fear going out.

"The Angel Express is a great initiative to allow women in the district free and safe travel during the festive period, to enjoy their time with friends and family in the night-time economy."

Inspector Paul Barrell from Kent Police and Dover Community Safety Unit said: "Dover is a safe place to live, work and socialise, and initiatives like this build on the significant work already taking place to ensure that people are not only safe but ‘feel safe’."

The service has been made possible using Police and Crime Commissioner funding and reinforces Dover District Council’s pledged support for the White Ribbon movement to end male violence against women.

Reserve your free tickets here.