VILLAGers in Horndon on the Hill and East Tilbury were celebrating today (Monday, 2 September), the first day of a restored bus service linking Thurrock rural communities.

Months of campaigning by local people forced a U-Turn by Thurrock Council earlier this year and it was agreed to use government funding to bring back services linking outlying villages.

The contract for the new service as won by bus company Vectare, and today it began operating he 375 service.

Campaigners celebrated the first day of new service by taking a ride.

The news was welcomed by local campaigner Carole Rintoul and others who ran the opposition to the service cut and she and others took advantage to takje a ride on opening day.

Vectare honours concessions including the government £2 fare scheme and is disabled friendly.

The bus is back: View the route and story behind campaign success.