A NEW Forest bus service has been nominated for a national award.

The Beach Bus, which attracted 7,993 passenger trips in 37 days, has been shortlisted for project of the year at the UK Bus Awards.

The service is run by the New Forest National Park Authority in partnership with operator morebus, as part of a Department for Transport (DfT) funded campaign to encourage more people to travel without a car in the National Park.

Andrew Wickham, managing director of operator morebus, said: “We’re very pleased with this recognition from the UK Bus Awards which is one of the most prestigious industry awards in the country.”