A BUS company is hoping to better connect Lyme Regis with Devon by extending a route to the seaside town.

Stagecoach South West has replaced its existing number 52 with a new number 9 service - which will now stop off in Lyme Regis.

The service will operate regularly from Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sundays.

A new 9A service will operate between Exeter, Sidmouth and Seaton, replacing the 52A and including a new extension to Lyme Regis.

The service will run hourly from Monday to Saturday and every two hours on a Sunday.

It is hoped these new timetables will give visitors an easy way to get to Lyme - while Stagecoach claims the "stress of finding a parking space can be left at home".

Bob Dennison, managing director of Stagecoach South West, said: “We’ve made the decision to introduce new timetables onto this service because we want to give passengers a frequent connection to the coast.

"This time of year, holidaymakers and regular passengers love to head down to the coast and we want to give them a practical alternative to driving themselves. With the extended service to Lyme Regis we are listening to our passengers needs and responding by providing new destinations and frequent services, so families can enjoy a whole day out.

“Car parks can become extremely busy in the summer season but the stress of finding a parking space can be left at home if you catch the brand new number 9 service.”

Connecting people further along the Jurassic Coast, the new service to Lyme Regis will enable passengers from east Devon and Exeter to travel into Dorset and enjoy a whole host of events over the summer - including the annual carnival and regatta, as well as the popular RNLI Lifeboat Week.

For more information and to view the new timetables, please visit stagecoachbus.com