BUS company Stagecoach South’s Winchester Depot and a preservation group are teaming up for a free transport rally on Bank holiday Monday.

Buses past and present will be celebrated at the event centring on the company’s base at Bar End.

Hampshire Bus and Coach Preservation Group will be bringing along vintage vehicles for public display from 10am.

The public will be able to see behind the scenes of a modern company before stepping back in time with the Stagecoach Heritage Fleet, which includes the very first Dennis Trident, and vehicles from the National Bus Company.

Andrew Dyer, managing director of Stagecoach South, said: “This is a great opportunity for people to experience four decades of bus travel whilst also finding out how we run services throughout the city today. Visitors will also be able to take a ride through the bus wash and have their own message displayed on the front of a bus.”

Jason Rayner from Hampshire Bus and Coach Preservation Group added: “I grew up with leaf green and poppy red buses gracing the streets of Hampshire. 1968-1986 is a truly significant period in the bus industry and we hope the day will be a spectacular tribute to the era.”

There will be free rides on several routes: Service 14: Winchester-Itchen Abbas-Alresford-Winchester; operated by Bristol RE's, Leyland Nationals, Bristol LH's and Leyland Leopard every 30 minutes.

Service 48: Winchester-City Centre-Pitt-St Cross-City Centre-Winchester depot; by Bristol VRT's, AEC Regal RT, Leyland Atlantean and more every 20 minutes.

Plus A National Coach Special Service 706 : Winchester-Southampton-Winchester; one journey only departing at 2.15pm with Leyland Tigers, Leyland Leopards & Bristol RE.