COUNCILLORS were invited to the launch of a new bus route along Southend’s picturesque seafront.

Dignitaries including councillors Nigel Folkard, Meg Davidson, and Tino Callaghan tested out the new open top 68 service yesterday.

The hop-on-hop-off service, designed to show off tourist hotspots, will connect the central seafront area with Leigh.

The number 68 route will run over the summer holidays from Monday, July 24 to Saturday, September 2 - and if the trial period proves successful the buses could one again become a regular sight.

The service, being operated by Go Ahead London, will run in a circuit to and from Southend Pier.

It will take in the Kursaal, Westcliff Palmeira Arches for the cafes, Chalkwell Shelter and Chalkwell Station.

It will travel to Leigh, stopping at the Ship pub for Bell Wharf Beach and then onto Leigh train station and Leigh Broadway.

A spokesman for Go Ahead London said: “We are delighted to reintroduce this iconic open top service along Southend Seafront and hope that local residents and visitors to Southend will take the opportunity to breeze along with us during this trial period.”