A bus company has launched a new payment service for travellers.

Arriva has introduced a contactless payment system on its buses in and around Epping Forest, making your bus journey that little bit easier.

No more searching for the correct change, customers can now pay their fare with the tap of a debit or credit card.

It even lets you use Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone, tablet or smartwatch to buy your ticket.

A simple tap of the card on the yellow reader on the bus, take your ticket from the machine, and you’re done.

Dave Plummer, of the Epping Forest Transport Action Group, said: "It is a great step forward.

"It will make it a lot easier for people to use the buses and it should cut idling times.

"However, what we really need is Essex County Council to try to adopt bus franchising so we can set the fares."

Contactless payment has become a fast and secure way to pay for small purchases in recent years, with the system available in many shops and restaurants.

It allows a person to pay for goods without having to insert their card into a machine and enter their PIN.

The new system, which will be introduced on February 10, can be used for fares up to £30 with no minimum payment. Customers will still be able to pay by cash if they prefer.