Children who have a KCC travel pass to get to and from school will now be able to use it at other times on services run in Kent by operator Stagecoach.

It will now be accepted for travel in the evenings after 7pm and at weekends and during school holidays.

The current pass costs £280 but KCC, which runs the scheme, has over recent years restricted its use in such a way that it has effectively become a school pass.

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There has been some criticism of the price hike over the years but KCC insists the pass still represents good value for money and heavily subsidises journeys.

The bus operator Stagecoach will now accept the pass for travel in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays right up until August 31 2018.

Philip Norwell, Stagecoach South East managing director, said: "This means that students can stay late at school, or meet friends in the evening or at the weekend.

"They can travel anywhere on our buses in east Kent throughout the school holidays at no cost to the student nor the council - all such travel is provided free by Stagecoach.

"We think that this encourages young people to use buses and is welcomed by all."

But those children who use the service in the west of the county won't be able to take advantage of the service, as Stagecoach mostly operates in the east.

Students will still need to scan their pass as they board the bus.