A Christmas safety initiative has been launched this week by Oswestry’s Business Improvement District (BID).

The ‘Get Home Safe Campaign’ is encouraging anyone enjoying a night out in Oswestry over the festive period to use the specially operated Arriva Night Bus, or to pre-book their taxi.

Those behind it say it will help those who want to enjoy food, drink and entertainment ensure they have a safe journey home.

Adele Nightingale, Oswestry BID manager said: “While encouraging everyone to enjoy visiting Oswestry’s lively, friendly, pubs, cocktail bars and restaurants this festive season, we also wanted to remind everyone to ‘get home safe’.

“Therefore Oswestry BID has worked with Arriva to underwrite a night bus that will run Friday and Saturday nights throughout December.

“The night bus is there to assist transporting people into our lovely town, to enjoy all it has to offer, but more importantly it will provide an option for them to get home safely.”

The night bus will run on Fridays and Saturdays throughout December, ending on Saturday, December 28. It will stop at Oswestry Bus Station, Weston Rhyn, St Martins School, Gobowen, Park Hall, Whittington, Queen’s Head, West Felton, and College Road, and Cabin Lane/Aston Way in Oswestry.

The scheme has also received the backing of Oswestry Police.

Inspector Tracy Ryan said: “Making sure our communities stay safe and sound when socialising at Christmas is a priority for West Mercia Police.

“This initiative from BID is fantastic, the provision of taxi marshals and a night bus supports us by making it easier, safer and quicker for revellers to get home meaning less possibility for disorder thus freeing up police resources.”

Oswestry BID is also providing two taxi marshals, through Valley Security, from 11pm to 4am on December 7, 14, 20 and 21, 28 and 31 to ensure the taxi rank is properly managed, which again will assist the public and our taxi drivers.

Ms Nightingale added: “Oswestry has a lot to offer on a night out, we have some great venues old and new, and Oswestry BID sees these two initiatives as vital parts of supporting Oswestry’s nighttime economy.”

For a full timetable of the night bus visit www.arrivabus.co.uk