A LATE night bus service to help stranded revellers is back on the streets today in time for the festive party season.The return of the Ipswich Nightbus is to make sure that those enjoying a Christmas night out have safe, cheap and frequent transport home.

A LATE night bus service to help stranded revellers is back on the streets today in time for the festive party season.

The return of the Ipswich Nightbus is to make sure that those enjoying a Christmas night out have safe, cheap and frequent transport home.

Late night buses will go along the three most popular routes - Number 1, which goes to Greenwich via Gainsborough, Number 9/10, which goes to Whitton/Castle Hill, and Number 15, which goes to Thorington Park via Maidenhall.

The service will be running from Tower Ramparts Bus Station between 11.30pm and 3.30am for tonight and next Friday and Saturday nights, as well as on Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28.

There will be a flat rate of £1 for all travellers.

Peter Monk, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for public protection, said: "I'm pleased that we are able to fund the Nightbus this year. It means people can celebrate late into the night and not have to worry how they are going to get home."

Dan Guerche, the new manager of Liquid nightclub is also showing his support for the scheme by mailing all his customers who have postcodes along the routes.

The scheme also has the full support of Suffolk police.

The initiative is being funded by Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council and has the full support of Suffolk Police.

Chief inspector Chris Mayhew said: "As always, our advice to those spending a night out is to stick together and look after each other - the Nightbus will ensure that many people will follow that advice and hopefully enjoy a trouble free Christmas."

Suffolk County Council's community safety unit and Ipswich Borough Council are funding the service.