Norwich's popular red open-top sightseeing busses are to stop for good after their founder died.

After 21 years of guiding tourists and locals around the fine city, Norwich's Sightseeing Tours has announced it will cease its service "indefinitely".

A spokesman for the business said: "Following the sad passing of Awayadays & City Sightseeing Norwich operator David McMaster in 2023, the Awayadays company is no longer in a position to run its tours and private hire."

Tributes poured in last July at the news of the Norwich tourism ambassador's death, aged 76.

Eastern Daily Press: The famous red open-top City Sightseeing Norwich busThe famous red open-top City Sightseeing Norwich bus (Image: Richard Jarmy)

READ MORE: Norwich City Sightseeing founder David McMaster dies aged 76

In 2003 he was aided by the global franchise firm City Sightseeing to set up the Norwich service, which ran successfully over the last two decades.

In its time the group put on free vintage bus rides at Christmas raising money for charity and introduced evening tours of Norwich with a Blue Badge Guide.

At the time of his passing, Enrique Ybarra, president and CEO of City Sightseeing Worldwide, said: "I was saddened to learn of the passing of David McMaster - he will be sorely missed.” 

Private bookings using the original Awaydays fleet will still be available, now operated by Ensignbus, a large-scale operator whom the tours have previously worked with.