WEYMOUTH will be home to a new rainbow-coloured bus which celebrates diversity within the community.

First Wessex is celebrating diversity by launching a double decker Pride bus - which will be based at Weymouth's bus depot in Commercial Road.

First Bus has launched the new double decker, painted in the bright colours of the pride flag, in a bid to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community across the region.

Carol Sim, First Bus Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire’s head of operations, said: "We want everyone to feel they are welcome, can be their true selves and can succeed, and that is why we chose."

The pride flag represents positivity, peace, pride and diversity. The bus also shows the phrase 'we’re bursting with Pride, everyone’s welcome on our buses'.

Ms Sim added: "We feel this phrase encapsulates our journey to bring to life a culture of understanding and celebrating diversity.

"At First Bus, we have ambitious plans that were accelerating, to help us on our journey to a truly inclusive business.

“It's our privilege to support the LGBTQ+ community within our organisation and in the communities that we serve across Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire and the rest of England."

From July onwards, the First Wessex Pride bus will become a permanent fixture in the company’s fleet and will now be travelling along the scenic Jurassic Coaster routes.

The community can now hop on the double decker to explore the 95-mile coastline between Poole and Axminster and 185 million years of history, with Pride.

The Pride bus will also be in service at First Bus' Southampton depot in August and Fareham depot in September, before returning to its home depot at Weymouth.

The transport firm said it is committed to providing easier access to Pride events and festivals across the UK, and the Ride with Pride campaign incorporates a special travel support offer to help benefit lower income households and disadvantaged groups by relieving some of the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis.