A FREE hailed bus service and app will serve a town's residents from September 1.

Using £120,000 of funds received through developers contributions, Chigwell Parish Council has purchased two Mercedes Spring mini-busses.

From 7am to 7pm they will circle the town, focusing on schools and tube station runs during the pre-9am hours.

With a trip around the town taking 27 minutes, passengers can wait to hail the mini-busses from the side of the road.

Alternatively, an app will allow user to track the busses and intersect them at a point of their choosing.

Cllr Richard Alvin, vice-chair of Chigwell's neighbourhood plan group, said: "All of the money came out of 106 payments from developers, so it isn't going to cost the tax payer a thing.

"We don't have the exact details of the running costs yet, but we have at least enough funding for the next ten years."

Cllr Alvin is in the process of setting up a users group to work out how best to run the service.

He added: "We want to hear from young and old, commuters and parents with children.

"It is clearly only going to work if we work alongside residents."

To join the group, call the parish office on 0208 5014275.