Students living on housing estates recognised as deprived by the Government are among the first in the country to benefit from a free bus to college.

They can catch the minibus from stops near their homes every morning and be transported to further education establishments around Brighton and Hove.

The Department for Education and Skills (DFES) gave Brighton and Hove City Council £170,000 to pilot a Pathfinder project to set up the scheme to ferry young people between 16 and 19 to get their education.

Two shuttle minibuses have been in operation since September and 50 students have joined the Student Travel Club.

One bus operates from Coldean, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean to Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth-Form College, City College, Varndean College and the railway station in Moulsecoomb.

The second runs from Saunders Park and Whitehawk to the same venues.

Students have welcomed the free travel arrangements.

Adam Powell uses the bus to travel to Varndean College. He said: "I used to have to get two buses to college. The journey took more than an hour and cost over £2.

"The shuttle now gets me to college in half an hour and is free. It has taken all the hassle out of getting to and from college. No more waking up and thinking, 'I can't be bothered going in today'."

Anyone who wants to join the club and who lives in the east Brighton area should call 01273 563266.