It's almost 1 April which means locals with April birthdays will start to use their free 'Birthday Bus Month Pass' from Mayor Dan Norris's West of England Mayoral Combined Authority next week.

But there is still time for those with birthdays next month to avoid being an April Fool, and sign up to the Birthday Buses scheme, says the regional Mayor. Locals can still apply up to the 15th, and get their free pass for the remainder of the month.

Birthday Buses gives locals unlimited free bus and WESTlink travel across the West's 350-plus square mile network throughout their birthday month.

Stats from the Mayoral Combined Authority shows half of users say they will use public transport more in the future because of the Mayor's scheme.

Dan Norris is now urging those with May birthdays who haven't done so already to sign up to Birthday Buses at www.birthdaybus.co.uk.  He said:

"I am pleased those with April birthdays are getting the opportunity to avoid those April Showers by using their Birthday Bus Month Pass. And for those who haven't signed up - don't be an April fool!

"I am proud of Birthday Buses which is getting new passengers using our buses. That's vital to creating a more sustainable bus network.

"For those with birthdays coming up, and who haven't done so already, make sure you head to www.birthdaybus.co.uktoday."

So far 53,000 people in the West of England have applied for the Mayor's "Birthday Buses" scheme making 687,000 journeys.