A CUSTOM built bus made by a North Yorkshire manufacturer has been given to the London Transport Museum as part of a new feature.

Selby-based Optare gifted a custom-built version of one of its Solo midi buses for the museum's new All Aboard family play zone.

Visiting youngsters aged up to seven-years-old will be able to sit in the driving seat and operate the indicators, change the bus blinds and check the CCTV.

The Solo’s low entry floor combined with the front axle being positioned infront of the front door allows for easy access for very young children to climb aboard.

Enrico Vassallo, chief executive of Optare, said: "When the London Transport Museum told us how popular the previous Optare bus had been with the children in the gallery, we were only too pleased to supply a custom built version of our latest Solo model, which is available in both Euro 6 diesel and full electric for the next generation of young people to enjoy and learn about bus travel in the new purpose built gallery at the Museum."

The Solo midi bus was suspended in mid-air before being loaded up into the upper deck of the All Aboard play area by a crew of lifting specialists using a heavy duty fork lift.

Sam Mullins, director of London Transport Museum, said: "We are very grateful to Optare for transforming their latest Solo bus into a memorable interactive learning experience for our young visitors."