A festive bus service in Keighley has been commended for its work in tackling drink-driving after its most successful Christmas ever.

Members of the Keighley Bus Museum Trust have been thanked by Airedale and North Bradford Police after they offered free heritage bus rides on Christmas Day.

A record 652 passengers used the Keighley Town Council- funded bus service, which is believed to be the only scheme of its kind in the UK. Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team and roads policing officers were also out in force monitoring the roads for drink and drug drivers over the festive season.

Police have pledged that “enhanced road safety and drink drive operations” will continue throughout the winter.

Chief Superintendent Ian Kennedy, of Airedale and North Bradford Police, said: “It was really good of the Keighley Bus Museum Trust and Keighley Town Council to provide a superb Christmas service which was in keeping with the spirit of the season.

“It helped people travel locally to see friends and family and enjoy a seasonal tipple without the worry of how to get home.”

Keighley Bus Museum Trust (KBMT) secretary Dave Jones said: “We are very grateful to Keighley Town Council for continuing to sponsor our operation of the local town bus services on Christmas Day. This is a unique operation in the UK, recalling the time when local councils like Keighley ran their own Corporation buses, trams and trolleybuses.

“Whilst the passenger numbers involved are not huge, they have been steadily rising over the years and the figure of 652 persons travelling with KBMT this year has exceeded our previous record total of 598 passenger journeys in 2008.”