A popular bus service along the Norfolk coast is being extended by its new operator from today.

Bus firm Lynx has taken over a number of routes which were run by Stagecoach until it closed down its depot in West Norfolk.

They include the Coasthopper between King's Lynn and Wells, which is being extended to Walsingham and Fakenham.

The extension replaces the former 29 bus service operated by Stagecoach.

The Wells - Sheringham leg of the route is being taken over by Sanders Coaches, while the service is being re-named the Coastliner.

Lynx said: 'As a relatively small, independent bus operator it has not been possible for us to replace all Stagecoach services on a like-for-like basis due to the relatively short timescales involved and also of the requirement to more closely match supply with demand, ensuring that routes are more sustainable in the longer term than had been the case.

'Demand on the new routes will be closely monitored over summer and changes made at a later date, where necessary.'

Lynx said the number 34 service between King's Lynn and Hunstanton would be increased to four buses an hour, to provide more buses to and from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The Fairstead circular service will continue but will no longer serve part of the estate. Lynx said: 'Unfortunately we're not able to serve the King's Reach section of this route due to the estates poor road design which means it's not able to safely accommodate larger buses.'

An hourly service between King's Lynn and Wisbech, via St Germans, will replace the withdrawn Stagecoach 46 bus.

Further timetable changes can be found online at www.lynxbus.co.uk. West Norfolk Community Transport's newly-launched Go To Town services will operate on four former Stagecoach routes in King's Lynn.

The Hardwick-based company will be running services to and from the town centre from North Lynn, North and South Wootton, the Grange/Pandora and Gaywood Park.

It has invested £850,000 in a fleet of brand new low-emission buses and taken on 18 new staff to operate them.

Stagecoach announced in January it planned to close its depot in King's Lynn, blaming rising costs for the move.