THE sun shone as the land train began its extended route to Boscombe Precinct.

Traders have already welcomed the move, saying it will bring more business to the shopping centre and increase access to the beach, particularly for the elderly and disabled.

The first train to run the extended route left Boscombe Pier at 10am on Saturday morning.

Dave Brown, who runs the nearby Wyvern Hotel, was on board.

He said: “It’s going to link up what’s happening down here with the town.

“It gives people more flexibility so they can park and get the train down. We’re hoteliers, so for us it will make it more family orientated, it’s a fun thing rather than a bus.”

Also boarding were Graham Taylor and Melanie Wetton.

Graham said: “It joins up all various bits of Boscombe.”

And Melanie added: “It’s good to bring the seafront to the town and the town to the seafront, so it helps everybody.”

The new service costs £1.90 each way and departs Boscombe Pier on the hour between 10am and 5pm, before travelling up Sea Road into Boscombe Precinct, arriving at McDonald’s each hour between 10.15am and 5.15pm.

After that, it travels along Christchurch Road and into Boscombe Chine Gardens, before heading back to Boscombe Pier and onto Bournemouth Pier.

Retailers also marked the start of the season with an open morning at Boscombe Pier on Saturday.

The event celebrated the redevelopment of the pier and all the companies that were involved took part, including Lloyds TSB, Purbeck Ice Cream, Bournemouth council, Keith Spicers and Enhanced.

Free tea and coffee and breakfast rolls were on offer in the early morning sunshine.

Van Hubball, who runs Reefside at the pier, said: “Today is about saying thank-you to all the people who made it happen.”