Delighted residents boarded the new morning bus service from Littlemore on April 2.

Gill Sanders and Phil Clark join residents in welcoming the new bus service

The number 18 service from Herschel Crescent to Templars Square and Oxford city centre arrived on schedule at 9.05am to take elderly residents to the shops.

The service was extended from two to four journeys a day following a campaign by residents and city councillor Gill Sanders, and will link up with the 2D service to The Moors, Kidlington.

Cllr Sanders joined residents and Oxford Bus Company commercial manager Phil Clark, in the queue for the first scheduled bus. She said: "It gives me such pleasure to see them here. It's almost as if they are going on an outing for the day. This bus is so desperately needed. It is just wonderful."

Hilda Beesley, 73, who lives in Bodley Road, said: "I am thrilled. It has taken a lot of work and all the residents are really pleased."