THE Original King Alfred Buses Running Day returns on Bank Holiday Monday May 6.

At least 30 vintage buses will be providing free services, including 12 traditional King Alfred buses.

New this year will be former King Alfred AEC Renown 596 LCG dating from 1962 but just renovated and repainted in Hants & Dorset Motor Services poppy red. This is in readiness for the King Alfred centenary in 2020 and commemorates the final phase of the company, when the vehicles and services had been passed to Hants & Dorset in 1973 but many of the buses continued to run in Winchester. They were now in a new colour scheme of red and white instead of the traditional green and cream.

This bus is expected to provide free services throughout the day along with all the others, based on Winchester Broadway and the Cattle Market car park between approximately 09:00 and 17:00 covering most of the traditional bus routes around Winchester.

There will be the usual transport bazaar in Winchester Guildhall, open between 10am and 4pm.

Plentiful car parking will be available at St Catherine’s Park & Ride with frequent free buses to/from the city centre starting at 08:30.