AT a quarter of a million pounds, it costs more than many houses, but that's what a county holiday firm has paid for a new top quality touring coach.

The 49 seat Plaxton Panther luxury coach has been delivered to the headquarters of Whittles Coaches in Foley Business Park, Kidderminster to join the company's fleet of nine other vehicles. It offers passengers the highest levels of comfort with extra legroom, air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, WC and DVD player and will be used on Whittles’ range of holidays and day excursions this summer, as well as on coach hire for local businesses, clubs and schools. The vehicle’s highly fuel-efficient Euro 6 engine provides the latest in environmentally-friendly low emission coach travel together with top class quietness and comfort.

Whittles Coaches was acquired by Henley-in-Arden based Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel in January 2015 and since then the two companies have focused on developing and enhancing Whittles reputation for quality coach travel.

Peter Johnson, a director at Johnsons and Whittles Coaches said: “This new coach investment shows the commitment by the new owners to Whittles and to the future growth of the company. As the new owners of Whittles, we are really pleased to add this new and exciting vehicle to our Whittles fleet, which will support our growing list of Whittles customers and our hardworking and professional staff.”