THE award-winning Kings Ferry coach operation based in Gillingham has been bought out by National Express.

Rumours had been circulating in the industry during the weekend.

Steve O'Neill, managing director of the group and son of Peter O'Neill, who founded the Twydall-based company, confirmed the rumours in a brief statement.

National Express, the international rail and coach operator, has been looking to enter the commuter coach market for some time.

Only recently, Kings Ferry was named Coach Operator of the Year and picked up the Coach Operator Innovations Award at a ceremony in Birmingham.