THE New Forest Tour bus service has been extended to Sunday, October 14 after the most successful August ever.

Now visitors have an extra four weeks to explore the New Forest National Park and take in the spectacular views of its stunning landscape on the open-top buses.

The hop-on, hop-off tour is proving the perfect way to explore the New Forest, with two interchangeable routes that stop at key villages and tourist attractions. There is room on board for bikes. New for this year is a GPS-activated commentary for passengers to find out more about the history and culture of the Forest.

The red route stops at popular holiday destination Sandy Balls Holiday Park at Godshill, plus Ashurst, Lyndhurst, Burley and Ringwood. For the first time it also goes through the centre of Fording-bridge.

David Harrison, lead member for transport at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: “Feedback from this year’s New Forest Tour has been fantastic.

“In August the service carried over 15,000 passengers – our most successful month to date. Not only is it a great contributor to the local economy but it reduces the number of cars on New Forest roads too.

“In 2011 more than 147,000 private car miles were saved by the tour, and its customers generated a contribution of nearly £500,000 to the local economy.”

New Forest Tour customers receive a New Forest Tour official guide, which includes a card with offers available at businesses along the route, including places to eat and drink, shops, and attractions.

A range of flexible ticket options is available, including a two-day ticket valid on both routes (adults £14), and group tickets for up to five people at £28 a day.

For more information about routes, ticket options and timetables visit thenewforesttour.info .