CHRISTMAS Day bus routes will be in operation in Winchester and Southampton.

Bus passengers will find it considerably easier to travel between the two cities this Christmas Day, as Bluestar announce special services.

The companies festive timetable has been released, where services will be run for those wishing to visit friends and family at Southampton General Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, on Christmas Day.

The Bluestar 18 will be running, and is extended to the General Hospital and to Lordshill, and a new route, the Bluestar 1X, a combination of the normal Bluestar 1 and some of Bluestar 2, will run run between Southampton and Winchester, including Portswood, Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford, Otterbourne and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

Bluestar and Unilink head of communications, Nikki Honer said: "We know how difficult it can be for those in hospital at any time but particularly at this time of year - and it’s great when relatives come to visit.

"So we’re happy to help people get there, by running these special services.

"For the 18, the first bus leaves Thornhill at 7am and we’ll be running hourly trips throughout the day, right up until 7pm. Special cash and contactless fares onboard will apply, but all period passes on The Key, our mobile app or paper will be accepted as normal. The newly-introduced 1X will leave Hanover Buildings at 9am, and run regularly until 7pm.

"On Boxing Day, we are responding to demand by running more buses, alongside our sister operator Unilink - so shoppers will have ample opportunity to check out the sales."

Bluestar and Unilink are introducing a number of changes to their services throughout the festive period, including Christmas Day to New Years Day, and you can now view the full timetable online.

"The Bluestar and Unilink teams are very much looking forward to a fun but peaceful Christmas 2018," added Nikki.

"And we hope our special timetable will help local passengers enjoy their festive period too."