Dereham-based bus company Konectbus has invested more than �900,000 in five double deckers for its Norwich fast service.

The new high-capacity, low-emission buses will be used on the number eight service – re-named Konectexpress – which runs between Toftwood, Dereham and the city centre.

Konectbus has also launched extra weekday morning and evening journeys while the Sunday buses have been doubled from two-hourly to hourly.

Operations and commercial director, Julian Patterson, said: 'The eight has been a roaring success since its introduction and at times we have been kept on our toes keeping up with demand.

'This significant investment in new vehicles coupled with the refresh of the whole look of the service, while still keeping fares firmly pegged at 2010 levels, shows our continued commitment to the evolution of quality, attractive bus services to entice existing customers to travel more often and encourage those who perhaps haven't sampled bus travel for a while to save money and leave the car at home.'

The route, which after picking up in the Dereham area runs non-stop to Norwich city centre and the railway station, was introduced in September 2009, initially running every two hours between Dereham and Norwich.

Its popularity soon saw it increase in frequency and the route was also extended back to Toftwood.