EASTLEIGH residents were treated to company and conversation thanks to a special bus event.

City bus operator Bluestar launched its Chatty Bus scheme as part of its commitment to helping reduce loneliness and isolation.

Bluestar also had a piano on-board.

The event took part next to Sainsbury’s on Upper Market Street, Eastleigh.

Bluestar managing director, Andrew Wickham, said: “With one in ten people going at least one day a week without speaking to anyone - and a third of Britons admitting they deliberately catch the bus to have some human contact - we wanted to help break the ice and get people talking.”

Ian Corby, who visited the bus, said: “I love to chat, so I think it’s a great thing to try and rid ourselves of the idea we shouldn’t interact on buses."