Three of our buses, dedicated to heroes within the local community, are now back on the roads after being given a makeover.

The bright orange buses run on Hucknall's connect, which links Hucknall Town Centre and tram stop with outlying estates.

The buses, which have been fully refurbished with new comfy seating, a redesigned interior and a new paint job, were displayed on Hucknall Market Place last Sunday morning.

One of the buses is named after soldier Paul Sandford, who was killed in Afghanistan. Known as Sandy, Lance Corporal Sandford died in Helmond Province in June 2007.  He was 23. A former pupil of Hucknall’s Holgate Comprehensive School (now Holgate Academy), he served in the Worcester ad Sherwood Foresters (now the Mercian) Regiment.

The second bus bears the name of Eddie Heath, caretaker at Hucknall National Church of England Academy, who helped save the life of a teenage pupil two years ago. Eddie rushed to Callum Massey, then aged 13, who collapsed and stopped breathing as a result of an undiagnosed heart condition.  He gave Callum mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart massage until medics arrived.

The third bus commemorates William Fox; a well-known Hucknall builder, who died in 2012 at the age of 94. His legacies include the main post office on Hucknall High Street and the chemists shop next door.

Eddie and Callum both attended the renaming of the buses and all families involved were represented, including Paul’s mum Jayne Saxby, and William’s widow, Florence.

Our service delivery manager for connect, Vitto Pizzuti, took charge of proceedings: “We’re proud to serve Hucknall as a local East Midlands company, and even prouder to celebrate the contribution our Hucknall Heroes made in their local community.”