There is good news for students heading back to school this term.

First Wessex has been awarded the contract by Dorset County Council to provide student travel around the Bridport and Lyme Regis area.

From the new academic year, the local bus operator is running nine new routes to Woodroffe School (services A1 and A2), Beaminster School (services B1, B2, B4, B5 and 40) and Colfox School (services C1 and C2).

The partnership with the council for these services is for at least seven years.

As a part of the ongoing relationship with Beaminster School, First Wessex is also working with it to deliver a new route between Crewkerne and the school.

Some students will also be accommodated on two new minibus routes.

Simon Newport, general manager of First Wessex, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with Dorset County Council to provide transport for even more senior schools in west Dorset.

"The contract is for seven years and we look forward to continuing developing the network in conjunction with the schools and the council over this period. Having additional buses in the area will also help us undertake new projects in the local community around the school contracts in the school holidays.”

He added: “We already serve many of the schools in the region and it’s fantastic to add these to our portfolio. Offering reliable and cost effective transport for student is always something that we pride ourselves on and preparations are well underway to ensure everything is ready to go in September.”

Students that travel on the First Wessex network will receive passes from the bus operator soon. New timetables can be found at firstgroup.com

To check availability of remaining seats on these services, please email dorsetschool@ firstgroup.com.

Many of First Wessex’s service have been on increased frequencies since Easter but will now be reduced.