NATIONAL Park chiefs have launched an extension to an award-winning sightseeing service used by tens of thousands of people every year.

The New Forest Tour, a fleet of open-topped buses that provide passengers with grandstand views of the coast and countryside, has been enlarged to include the south-western corner of the district.

Julian Johnson, chairman of the National Park Authority (NPA), said: “It's a classic opportunity to leave your vehicle behind and enjoy the Forest without having all the hassle of driving.”

It was launched six years ago and has seen the number of passenger journeys grow from 9,000 in 2007 to nearly 34,000 last year, saving 150,000 car miles.