TV CELEBRITY John Grundy yesterday jumped on board a new bus service aimed at luring shoppers to one of the region's most popular visitor attractions.

The presenter launched tour company City Sightseeing's new link from Newcastle to Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham.

Trish Hall, marketing manager at Beamish, said: "This is going to make it much easier for people from the Newcastle area - and tourists staying there - to visit Beamish.

"If it is a success, we are hoping to expand it to other towns and cities in the region in the future."

The double decker bus will start from Jesmond and will pick up at various stops in Newcastle city centre and in Gateshead.

The service will be available every Saturday and Sunday, starting tomorrow. It will also run on Bank Holidays.

For further details, contact City Sightseeing on (01708) 866000, or visit the website, www.city-sightseeing.com

Published: 11/06/2004