Stagecoach has gone back to the decade of The Beatles to relaunch its No 60 route between Chichester and Midhurst.

While the buses may not be flower powered, the company hopes that by doubling the frequency of buses between Chichester and Bognor from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes, more people will consider reducing their carbon footprint and travel on the Long and Winding Road.

Passengers who used the service in the 1960s were invited to join bosses who were in fancy dress.

Andrew Jarvis, operations director at Stagecoach, said: 'With fuel prices as they are now the cost of taking your car out for a journey compared with getting a bus has never been greater. By the time you factor in insurance, maintenance and car tax, compared with the cost of a weekly bus ticket it is much easier on the pocket.

'There is a much lower carbon footprint if you go by bus. They give out four times more emissions but hold 20 to 30 times more people. There is much less environmental impact.'

Route and timetable information for the 60 service is available from www.stagecoachbus.com/south or by calling 0871 2002233.