A BUS company has devised a plan to rival Dave’s Coaches with a Barry Island service enabling customers to enjoy the Gavin and Stacey resort.

Cardiff Bus has launched its X99 service summer special which, Monday to Fridays, will allow passengers to travel from Cardiff via Canton and Ely to Barry Island's Whitmore Bay and back.

The company has teamed up with Barrybados, the iconic Barry-based brand to offer some of its merchandise to customers.

Competitions will be run regularly on Cardiff Bus’ Facebook and Twitter pages to win a range of Barrybados goodies including mugs, fridge magnets and key rings.

Cardiff Bus business development manager, Gareth Stevens, said: “With its beach and Pleasure Park, Barry Island is a popular destination for summer days out. For many people in Cardiff, it brings back nostalgic memories of trips to the seaside as children. By offering the X99 service, we hope to give Cardiff families the opportunity to enjoy a great day out at the seaside. All we need now is some great weather to accompany the service.”

Louis Ross, co-founder of Barrybados, said: “It’s great that Cardiff Bus is launching this service to allow Cardiff residents to come and enjoy all that Barry has to offer.

“People love Barry and since Gavin and Stacey brought it to the screens of millions, we’ve seen people come from far and wide to enjoy our beautiful town and beach, and to find out what’s occurrin’! It’s the perfect place for a fun filled family day out, and with the X99 stopping right on our doorstep there’s no excuse not to jump on.”

Information on the X99 service and route 95 that also links Cardiff and Barry Island can be found at www.cardiffbus.com or from Cardiff Bus’ offices on Sloper Road.

Customers interested in entering the competition to win ‘Barrybados’ merchandise can visit Twitter account @CardiffBus or Facebook page www.facebook.com/CardiffBus