TWO bus companies are offering free travel to family and friends of disabled passengers in celebration of Disabled Access Day.

Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus are offering companions of disabled people with concessionary bus passes free travel from March 10 to 12.

Brighton and Hove Buses’ accessibility and communities officer Victoria Garcia said: “We are delighted to support Disabled Access Day by helping disabled people and their companions to get out and about together.

“We are strong advocates of helping people to lead happy and active lives.

“What better occasion to promote this message than on Disabled Access Day.”

Disabled Access Day celebrates good access and creates opportunities for people to try something new.

The day, first held in 2015, highlights the access that already exists with travel companies and at venues such as theatres and cinemas.

Due to popular demand, this year’s celebration will take place over three days.

Among the events taking place in Brighton and Hove is a show at The Duke of York’s Picturehouse in Preston Circus.

Th oldest continually running cinema in the UK has teamed up with Sussex charity the Bevern Trust to offer one free bag of small popcorn to every ticket holder for Disney’s Moana on March 10 at 3pm.

Paul Ralph is founder of Disabled Access Day.

He said: “I welcome the support of Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus for Disabled Access Day 2017.

“The chance to try something new can have a sustaining and meaningful effect as new opportunities are unveiled.

“For me and many others, bus travel provides that important link between places, communities and people.

“Accessible bus services have the potential to make an enormous difference to people’s lives.”

To claim free travel, companions simply need to board the bus with a disabled concessionary card holder and make it clear to the driver that they are travelling together.

Drivers will permit all disabled concessionary card holders a plus-one to travel throughout the three days of the Disabled Access Day celebration from March 10 to 12.

The normal terms and conditions of disabled concessionary passes will apply.

Further information can be found at buses.co.uk/accessday and metrobus.co.uk.