STAGECOACH is to run a Christmas Day bus service in Oxford in what is believed to be the city’s first ever December 25 operation.

The Cowley-based firm will operate its No. 1 service almost hourly from Blackbird Leys to the city centre along Cowley Road.

The Christmas Day route is being run as a trial to help people without cars visit relatives or attend their church or mosque.

This year Christmas Day falls on a Friday, meaning it coincides with the Islamic congregational day of prayer, which will see thousands of Muslims attend mosques in Oxford.

Stagecoach’s Oxford Tube service, which stops at Heathrow and London, has run for the past decade on Christmas Day.

However, this is the first time Stagecoach or Oxford Bus Company has operated a city bus route.

Stagecoach spokesman Chris Child said: “This is an experiment to see how it goes.

“Having run the Oxford Tube to London and Heathrow on Christmas Day we know there is demand for travel over the festive period and running this route is an extension of that.

“People will be able to visit friends and family and leave the car at home and enjoy a drink.”

The firm will offer drivers triple pay to work and is currently seeking volunteers.