THE council’s latest park and ride service will be opening for the first time this weekend in Poole.

Services, run by Morebus, will operate from the Civic Centre to Sandbanks every 15 minutes from July 24 to September 5.

All-day parking at the Civic Centre costs £5 and includes the cost of the family bus fare - on Morebus service 60.

It is the second park and ride the authority have opened this summer, with a service also operating from Kings Park to Boscombe Pier.

Councillor Mike Greene, portfolio holder for transport and sustainability, said: “This is one of the many ways we are trying to encourage tourists to visit our spectacular part of the world while being mindful of the need for car-parking spaces across the conurbation during the holiday season.

“People are coming from miles around for a day at the beach, and who can blame them?

“But we want to encourage as many people to take advantage of this offer – avoid the queues to the more popular car parks; there is just no need when you can park at a central location and hop on a bus and be at your favourite beach in no time at all.”