NATIONAL Trust staff have beaten their transport blues with an innovative new commuting scheme.

Catering employees working in Studland arrive at work in style after completing their four-and-a-half mile trip from Bournemouth Pier in a speedboat.

Bosses at the conservation organisation hit upon the idea after discussing how to help staff meet the challenges of travelling to work at a rural location.

And it's proved a success with those working at the Knoll Beach Cafe.

Member of staff Vita Bozadzhieva said: “It’s a perfect way to relax before and after work.

“I live in Bournemouth and by bus it takes me an hour and twenty minutes to get here.

"By boat it’s 12 minutes and it’s a really beautiful experience.”

Representatives from the National Trust approached powerboat operators Studland Watersports for help, and councillors at Bournemouth council gave their permission to use their pier landing stage as a pick-up point.

The service runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, and is due to continue until the end of September.

“Transport costs can be a significant outlay for our staff and we all feel the effects of road congestion so this seemed like a good way to tackle both issues,” said the National Trust’s Studland operations manager Emma Wright.

“Our thanks go to Studland Water Sports and Bournemouth Borough Council for making this possible.”