These are hot on the heels of new routes between St Austell and Newquay and between Truro and Newquay, which start on 3 November.

The extra routes will begin operating in January 2015, and will include services from St Austell to Fowey and Mevagissey. Additionally, First Kernow's Truro to St Austell route will be extended each hour to Bodmin.

As well as these developments, the company's routes between Newquay and Truro via both Perranporth and Fraddon/Quintrell Downs will see further enhancement.

Commenting on these latest developments, Alex Carter, Managing Director of First Kernow, said: "We are delighted to be restoring First bus services to these areas and communities after a long period of absence.

"Over the past year, we have worked hard to recover our business in Cornwall after many difficult years. In September 2013, we were awarded the contract by Cornwall Council to operate Truros Park and Ride service, and have received many favourable comments for the consistent quality of customer service we have provided.

"This is reflected in the numbers using the facility, which continue to increase strongly year on year, with over 400,000 journeys per annum now being made.

"On our own network of commercial routes, we are in a number of cases seeing growth in passenger numbers in excess of 10 per cent, driven by strong delivery and reliability.

"Working with our key stakeholders like Cornwall Council, the Eden Project, Truro and Penwith College and the universities based at Penryn and Falmouth, we have stabilised our route network; and contracts such that these are now viable and sustainable."

Alex Carter continued: "This provides us with a solid platform to improve the scope and quality of our local bus network, and paves the way for further expansion and improvements to customer service for users of our bus and coach services in Cornwall.

"These are exciting times for the company and our loyal, hard-working staff who have supported us for so many years."