Bruce the Bus

Forget Thomas the Tank Engine and Bertie; young walkers in the Peak District can now get around with help from Bruce the Bus and Tess the Train.

The two characters are part of a scheme to get visitors on to public transport in the national park, one of the most popular in the country. Children are being encouraged to plan trips to the countryside using a new family-friendly leaflet.

The Hop on and Explore leaflet is the idea of Peak Connections, which also publishes a Ride and Ramble guidebook.

Peak Connections officer Carol Lavell said: “The leaflet features lots of family-friendly places to visit, accompanied by ‘green’ facts and tips for children on how to plan a bus journey.

“In the centre is a Peak District map with cheerful graphics highlighting bus and train routes. It all encourages children to get involved in planning a journey and becomes part of the enjoyment of a family day out, with the bonus of cutting pollution and congestion.”

The leaflet is available to download on the Peak Connections website and at visitor centres throughout the national park.

Ride and Ramble, which costs £6.95, is also on sale at visitor centres or via the Peak District National Park Authority online shop.