New £290,000 double decker buses with digital wingmirrors and stop buttons on the back of "more comfortable" seats have arrived on the Isle of Wight.

Southern Vectis has unveiled its new fleet of "double decker Ferraris", to serve the Cowes to Newport route 1 service.

There are seven altogether — three have arrived on the Island already, and the remaining four are due over the next few days.

At a launch event in Newport, Andrew Wickham, Managing Director of Southern Vectis, told the County Press: "We're really pleased with them. They're state of the art.

Isle of Wight County Press: From left: Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Andrew Wickham, High Sheriff Dawn Haig-Thomas and Vix Lowthion.From left: Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Andrew Wickham, High Sheriff Dawn Haig-Thomas and Vix Lowthion. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Isle of Wight County Press: Upstairs on the new buses.Upstairs on the new buses. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

"We have a new seat type on them which are more comfortable than the previous seats and they have the camera monitor systems which are a lot safer for our drivers."

Andrew said the buses are like a Tardis, in that they look bigger on the inside than they are on the outside.

Upstairs, all hand poles have been removed, with handles and stop buttons now placed on the back.

Wingmirrors on the either side of the buses have been replaced with cameras and drivers now have digital screens to look at, instead.

Isle of Wight County Press: Stop button on the back of the seats.Stop button on the back of the seats. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Isle of Wight County Press: New digital screens, instead of wingmirrors.New digital screens, instead of wingmirrors. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

With each bus costing around £290,000, the company has forked out around £2 million, but Andrew said they will be worth the money.

He said: "We're talking Ferrari money. Having said that you can only get about two people in a Ferrari and you can get about 90 people on here so perhaps they're not such bad value for money in any case.

Isle of Wight County Press: Cameras on the side of the bus, instead of wingmirrors.Cameras on the side of the bus, instead of wingmirrors. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Isle of Wight County Press: In the driver's seat.In the driver's seat. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

"Double decker Ferraris. Not quite as fast but probably quite a bit more comfortable!"

Andrew is encouraging Islanders to catch a bus to help reduce carbon emissions and to make use of the Government's £2 fare cap.