Young and old alike will be able to ride back through history as the Dorchester vintage bus rally returns for its fourth year.

The event is organised by the West Country Historic Omnibus and Transport Trust (WHOTT) and will be held at the Top o' Town car park on Sunday.

Vehicles from the former Southern and Western National companies will be present, together with vehicles from other local companies and their successors, plus some historic commercial vehicles from the area.

Thirty buses will operate 75 departures on 15 routes from Top o' Town between 9.20am and 5.30pm.

In addition, early morning feeder buses will bring enthusiasts and the public in from other towns.

For the second year running there will be a link with the Hardy Society. Last year two vehicles made a special trip to Melbury House, an area featured in Hardy’s novel, The Woodlanders. This year there will be a chance to head out to Egdon Heath, where in the countryside around Culpepper Dish people will be able to discover areas featured in The Return of the Native and associations with Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

The route will also take in Hardy’s home at Max Gate and further on Clouds Hill, the home of Lawrence of Arabia. A tour guide from the Hardy Society will give a commentary on two coach trips at 11.45am and 2pm.

Seats are limited so free tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis. The same applies to the Mystery Tour which departs at 1.30pm.

A new history book of Western National vehicles, written by Geoff Hobbs, will also be launched on the day.

Chairman of WHOTT, Robert Crawley, said "This is WHOTT’s fourth Dorchester running day and we aim to make it bigger and better than before. I am pleased to say that we have had a lot of support and enthusiasm from the Hardy Society which recognises the unique connection many of our services have with places featured in Hardy’s novels, and from local bus operator Go-Ahead which will be displaying some of its vehicles.

"We shall be running classic buses and coaches on some historic local bus routes to delightful double-barrelled Dorset destinations. All services will be completely free, so we expect heavy demand – please come early."

WHOTT will also have its mobile museum bus on site showing an exhibition of memorabilia, and a stand selling books, photographs and transport ephemera. A souvenir programme describing the routes operated and a summary of local transport history will be on sale on the day.

The event will be held on Sunday, August 12.

For more information, visit busmuseum.org.uk