SIDMOUTH’S Hopper Bus saw a record number of passengers climb aboard this summer.

Around 11,300 people used the service, according to its co-ordinator John Dyson. “It’s the best we’ve ever done,” he said. “One hundred people a day on a 16 seat bus isn’t bad going.”

Town councillor Mr Dyson also said that there was evidence the Hopper’s new route to the Donkey Sanctuary was helping to tackle town-centre congestion. He added: “This has enabled people who are staying at various nearby establishments to come into town without their cars. We’re saving 20 to 30 car parking spaces every day as a result.”