RED London buses will be returning to Salisbury Plain this Saturday (August 26) to transport people to the deserted village of Imber.

The annual Imberbus service has ran for the past eight years, but this year even more buses will be operating, meaning more people can experience the isolated village.

Imber was evacuated in 1943 to make way for American troops to prepare for the invasion of Europe during the Second World War and the residents never returned.

Buses will run every 10 minutes from Warminster Station to Imber starting at 9.45am. Buses will then continue every half hour across the Plain to Gore Cross, and then to Tilshead, Chitterne, The Lavingtons or New Zealand Farm Camp.

Sir Peter Hendy CBE, chairman of Network Rail and one of the founding members of the team, said the bus service is unprecedented as when the village was inhabited it only had two buses a week.

“The church at Imber will be opened by the Friends of St Giles's. This has also become very much a community event with the village hall at Chitterne offering refreshments for passengers and the museum in Market Lavington opening especially and serving cream teas.

“All the fares are donated to support St Giles's church at Imber and the Royal British Legion.

"Everyone providing the buses does it without charge, as do the drivers and conductors. The event has grown year on year, this year seeing a special train coming from Peterborough and London to Warminster with over 200 passengers.”

Last year £9,000 was raised from the annual event.

Tickets can be bought on the day by the bus conductor as a single fare for £2, or a day ticket for £10.

Details of the timetable and more information can be found at www.imberbus.wordpress.com.