A POPULAR New Forest bus goes on tour this week.

The New Forest Tour will stop off in Bournemouth, Hythe and Southampton to coincide with markets and food festivals in the towns and city before starting its busy summer season on Saturday.

Staff from the New Forest Travel Concierge service will be on the bus and will talk to passers-by about the tour’s three routes and new stops.

Last year the popular service carried more than 40,000 passengers and contributed an estimated £660,000 to the New Forest economy.

The open-top bus will be in Hythe tomorrow and at The Bargate in Southampton on Friday.