NEW night-time bus routes, offering a 24 hour service, will be launched in Bournemouth and Poole next month.

Morebus is launching the timetables on its M1 and M2 services to operate 24 hours a day between Monday and Saturday.

The extended services will run from Tuesday, May 26.

Nikki Honer, morebus communications manager, said: “These are popular services and we have seen fantastic growth in the number of people using them, since they were first introduced in 2004.

“The region is an incredibly popular tourist destination.

“And we are expecting a rise in the number of visitors again this summer, so feel this is the perfect time to introduce these additional journeys.”

“The M1 and M2 will become the N1 and N2 after midnight, running every 30 minutes - with the N2 extending back to Southbourne.

“Working closely with both Poole Borough Council and Bournemouth Borough Council, we have been able to secure investment through the local sustainable transport fund (LSTF).

“And this has been instrumental in enabling us to grow these services.”

In 2014, Government figures showed Poole and Bournemouth leading the way in growing the popularity of bus travel.

The two came first and second in the whole of England for the highest growth of bus journeys over the last 10 years.

Poole saw a staggering 72 per cent increase - with Bournemouth listed at 62 per cent.

“The figures showed that our region significantly outperformed the rest of the country,” added Nikki. “Now, with these additional services, I look forward to seeing more people than ever travelling with us over the coming months.”

Richard Barnes, public and community passenger transport manager at Bournemouth council, added: “Thanks to additional government grants we have been able to invest in the towns largest ever transport programme to give people better options on how they travel.

"We are delighted to see that the investment has given morebus the confidence to extend their services."

Nick Phillips, accessibility team leader in transportation, Borough of Poole, said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working between the public and private sector. This is great news for everyone as it helps cut both carbon and congestion."