Watford's mayor was one the first passengers on the town's new 'Shopper Bus' service.

Peter Taylor journeyed on the North Watford route, joining passengers on a community-focused commute to Sainsbury's.

Focused on convenience and assistance, the service offers home pickups and a welfare driver to help with shopping bags and accessibility needs like ramps and wheelchair spaces.

The mayor said: "It was great to chat with fellow residents who were using the Watford Shopper Bus.

"They were so positive about the friendly staff and convenience of the service.

"It is offering a reliable and affordable travel option and serving the needs of Watford residents.

"In addition, it also provides that extra assistance - a really welcoming means to get to local shops and helping people maintain their independence."

Since its launch earlier this month, the Shopper Bus – a project of Communities 1st and Watford Borough Council – has seen encouraging passenger numbers, becoming a lifeline for residents needing essential services, like grocery shopping.

The £6 return service, available to book up to three months in advance, runs on Mondays and Tuesdays connecting residents across different wards to popular supermarkets ASDA, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl, and Tesco.

Aimed at aiding those with mobility challenges and social anxieties, the service has quickly become important to many.