A long-serving bus and coach company, which has been operating continuously in the Lowestoft area since the early 1920s, is marking a century of adventure in style.

Since 14-seater Model T Ford charabancs were initially used to run a bus service between Lowestoft and Oulton Broad more than 100 years ago, Belle Coaches has been a familiar sight on the region's roads.

The company's origins lie from a partnership forged between Benjamin Robert Shreeve and Charles Day as they launched the bus services, but this was dissolved in 1924 as Mr Shreeve formed his own company, Shreeve & Co.

Belle Coaches in Lowestoft in July 1973. Picture: Belle CoachesBelle Coaches in Lowestoft in July 1973. Picture: Belle Coaches (Image: Belle Coaches)

Based at Hadenham Road in south Lowestoft, Belle Coaches has provided summer outings aplenty ever since then, with happy holidaymakers enjoying UK and continental tours, excursions, special breaks and much more.

And celebrating its centenary, the bus and coach operator will be holding a special open day at its Lowestoft depot next Monday, June 24 - on the actual day of the 100th anniversary.

An extra special 100-year anniversary tour is also set to head to Torquay next week - which is the first tour the company has on record, as "Torquay was the tour that started them all."

Invited guests are set to attend the open day on Monday, to mark the 100-year anniversary, as current and previous members of staff unite.