Ref. 28804-47THAMESDOWN Transport is gearing up for a year of celebrations to mark its centenary and the highlight will be a golden bus.

In March, four new 41-seater buses will arrive in Swindon and one of them will be gold and bronze in honour of the company's 100th birthday.

Thamesdown Transport, and its predecessor, Swindon Corporation Tramways, unveiled a logo at the Steam museum in Kemble Drive depicting one hundred years of service.

John Owen, who has been managing director of Thamesdown Transport for 20 years, said: "We want to celebrate our heritage but also look forward to the future. Throughout the year we hope to involve the whole community with the centenary celebrations."

A transport film show at The Arts Centre, in Devizes Road, in June, and a special open day at the Science Museum, in Wroughton, in September, are just some of the events that are planned.

And tomorrow at 5.30pm tram enthusiast and former Liberal Democrat councillor for Lawns Neil Butters will give a free lecture about the history of Swindon tram service at the University of Bath in Swindon's Oakfield campus.

The first electric tram service ran in September 1904, to be replaced by buses in 1929, when the organisation changed its name to Swindon Corporation Transport.

That organisation lasted until 1974 when it became Thamesdown Transport, which to this day survives as an independent but wholly council-owned entity

The logo features a tram and modern bus. Harking back to bygone days, a 1970s double decker painted in period livery will also be seen on local routes.

Mr Owen said: "We are trying to make the festivities family-orientated. Special mugs, pens and model buses have been made to remember the occasion."

Victoria Tagg