THE TOWN'S Hopper bus service was launched for the fifth year running on Monday a month earlier than in previous years. Forty took advantage of the bus, which runs through the summer months on a circular route around town and between Salcombe and Peak H

THE TOWN'S Hopper bus service was launched for the fifth year running on Monday - a month earlier than in previous years.Forty took advantage of the bus, which runs through the summer months on a circular route around town and between Salcombe and Peak Hill, when it arrived on Sunday.Those with bus passes can use the Cooks Coaches vehicle free of charge, while others will pay £1 a journey or £3 for an all-day rover ticket.Conceived by Town Councillor Tom Cox, the Hopper service, which has two buses running at weekends, is now a familiar part of the Sidmouth summer scene.Operations are headed by Councillor John Dyson who leads the Hopper working party and who thanked sponsors.Speaking at the launch, Mr Cox said: "Our baby, conceived in the autumn of 2003...is well through the toddling stage, thanks to so many committed people and organisations."The wider community had nurtured the bus and he thanked Sid Vale Association and the Herald for joining other groups to sponsor it.Mr Cox said the town council and Hopper working party were putting the service to its first real test of sustainability by fare charging."If the service has a long-term future it must have a strong element of core funding," he said.He endorsed Mr Dyson's thanks to community support for the bus and thanked him and the working party for their commitment.Hopper timetables are available at the Sidmouth Herald offices, High Street, Sidmouth Information Centre, Woolcombe House, Sidmouth Library, Coles Cards and News and all hotels and guest houses.Chris Simes, of Cooks Coaches, Diccon Pearse, EDDC, Lesley Garlick, DCC World Heritage Fund, Denzil Taylor, SVA, and town councillors attended Monday's launch.