Christmas has come early for West Shore residents as bus services get set to return to the area early next year.

From January 27, the number 5 and X5 services, that run from Bangor through to Llandudno, will now provide links through to West Shore.

The newly extended service will also see an increase in the number of buses on the road, with an additional four buses per hour in each direction, running along Gloddaeth Avenue.

The 5 and X5 bus will now also run in the evening Monday to Saturday until 11.30 pm, as well as providing a Sunday service between West Shore and Maesdu.

The new route comes in response to high customer demand for a service to West Shore after the number 12 service was shortened earlier this year.

Llandudno residents were left outraged after changes to the number 12 bus service came into affect in March which saw the service terminate at the the Wetherspoons at the Old Palladium Cinema rather than West Shore.

Residents of the Manor Park residential home raised their concerns at the time and contacted Arriva through a letter and a signed petition which drew more than 100 signatures requesting to keep the number 12 service.

Reverend Jane Allen, a resident at Manor Park, said her and others at the residential home had continued the fight in the months following.

Ms Allen said: "We are all delighted about the decision to introduce a service back to West Shore. It is a real Christmas joy for the residents of Manor Park.

Conwy County Borough Councillors, for the Gogarth ward, Louise Emery and Harry Saville have also been in talks with Arriva since March.

Arriva Buses Wales managing director, Michael Morton, said: “We are always keen to hear from our passengers on ways we can improve our services.

“Customer satisfaction is the top priority for Arriva and so we are delighted that after working alongside the council for a number of months, we are able to amend this route in line with customer demand.

“It has been a pleasure working with both councillors and we are pleased that we now have a solution in place for our customers, and we welcome hearing any further feedback on the route or our other services.”

Cllr Emery and Saville said: “We are absolutely delighted with this news. Arriva told us back in March that it would listen to feedback about bus services between West Shore and Llandudno Town Centre.

“Since then we know lots of residents have made their thoughts known to Arriva and a big thanks is due to those who took the time to contact Arriva direct, through us and through our local MP, Guto Bebb.

“A big thanks is also due to Arriva for listening to this feedback, which shows what we can achieve when we all work together.”

Passengers travelling on the route will be able to connect onto other Arriva services throughout North Wales with day tickets at £5.50 or for more regular bus users weekly tickets are available at £17.50.

Full details of the new services will be available in the coming weeks.