A new timetable has been introduced by a bus company to help children returning to school.

Chalkwell has announced a change for three of its routes.

The 326, 327 and 328 services have all now changed.

Running between Chatham and Sittingbourne, the timetable has been amended to help pupils who have just started the new school year.

A Chalkwell spokesman said: “A key reason for the change is changes to school finishing times, both in Sittingbourne and Medway.

“This has been particularly challenging, whereby one bus can serve multiple schools who then change finishing times independently of each other.

“This September, Chatham Girls Grammar are finishing later than previously, whereas Rainham Mark are finishing earlier.”

As a result, buses have been timed to enable better connections with the 334 service between Sheerness and Sittingbourne.

However, the Saturday 326 and 327 services have been reduced.

The spokesman added: “What we have tried to achieve is a reasonable compromise, bearing in mind the varying school finishing times.”

Chalkwell’s new timetable can be found here.

The changes come just after the operator brought back the 326 service to Grove Park in Sittingbourne for the first time since February.

The company, founded in 1931, also took over the running of the popular 334 route across Swale.

It had previously been run by Arriva, who axed the service in July.