A partnership between two companies is set to save bus users a big chunk of cash.

The 88 service links Great Yeldham, Halstead and Colchester and is run by both Hedingham and First Essex.

In October, the companies started trialling a scheme where both operators accept tickets from the other company.

Now the companies have come together, along with Essex County Council, to officially put pen to paper on the Route 88 Partnership.

Ray Gooding, Essex County Councillor responsible for passenger transport, said: “There’s often a lot of confusion about which operator runs a certain bus route and it can be very frustrating for residents to have to watch a bus go past because your ticket is not valid on that service.

“The Route 88 Partnership is a great demonstration of two bus operators who have come to the table with a solution and have worked with Essex County Council staff to deliver the best possible bus service for residents."

Essex County Council hope the partnership will be the first of many examples going forward.