JUBILANT shoppers, day-trippers and councillors hopped on board the first Sunday bus to leave Watton for Norwich in more than 10 years.opening hours at city shops or visit sick relatives at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

JUBILANT shoppers, day-trippers and councillors hopped on board the first Sunday bus to leave Watton for Norwich in more than 10 years.

The long-awaited reintroduction of the two-hourly service will allow people to make the most of opening hours at city shops or visit sick relatives at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Among the 35 people who boarded a specially decorated bus from Watton Post Office on Sunday were town councillor Barbara Anderson, who launched the campaign almost a year ago.

She said the idea was the result of discussions with town residents about what they would like to change in the town.

Mrs Anderson, 81, said: 'It all went off splendidly, and we are so delighted to have the Sunday bus back. It is not just for people who want to go shopping in Norwich. The biggest drive behind it was the hospital.

'This Sunday marks what I hope will be the start of getting Watton some decent transport links restored. We are still hoping to talk to Norfolk County Council about late buses out of Norwich because our teenagers cannot get to Norwich after dark if they don't have a car, and someone like me couldn't get to the theatre.'

Town mayor Margaret Holmes also used the service to do a spot of Christmas shopping.

She said: 'It is a great welcome back. Now that shops are all open on a Sunday it is so convenient, particularly at this time of year. The opportunity for hospital visits was paramount and it is also bound up in sustainability and how we are trying to reduce using fuel.

'It was Barbara's project and I think she should be congratulated by the whole town for taking this on and staying with it, but is not going to stop here - now we want a bus service to London as well.'

The new Konectbus 3A Sunday service leaves Watton High Street for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Norwich city centre every two hours between 10.30am and 4.30pm.