Sure Start encourages the development of young children

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority will run a bus from Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bridgend and Carmarthen every Sunday and bank holiday until the end of August.

It began by taking 19 Cardiff toddlers for a day out at Garwnant visitor centre.

The trip was arranged with Sure Start, part of the Welsh Assembly Government's initiative promoting the development of children under four.

There are a wide range of routes and combinations of ways in which visitors can use the bus service Tourism officer Richard Tyler

"It was the first time any of us have visited the national park and for some of the children the first time they've been to the countryside," said Debbie Maule of Sure Start.

"We had a wonderful day and the weather was perfect and we'll definitely be back to visit again."

Capital city

The bus will take people from towns and cities into the centre of Brecon, from where they can then catch another bus to the heart of the Beacons mountain range.

Visitors can also catch a "bike bus" from Cardiff to Brecon and use the Taff Trail cycle path to ride from Brecon back to the capital.

The bus aims to improve visitor numbers from south Wales

Richard Tyler, the park's sustainable tourism officer, said the bus gave people great freedom to do one-way walks and cycle rides across the hills.

"There are a wide range of routes and combinations of ways in which visitors can use the bus service," said Mr Tyler.

"Consequently it's a good idea to contact the park authority or a local tourist information centre for a complete timetable and route map."

For more information, visitors can call the park authority on 01873 853254.