A brighton bus will soon be in the pink after the No. 1 which runs from Mile Oak to Whitehawk through part of Kemp Town was given a new lick of paint.

Instead of the traditional red, cream and black, it will be red and cream with a swirl of pink.

Managing director Roger French said the choice of colour was nothing to do with the fact the bus goes through Kemp Town, which has a large gay population.

He said: "It was only something we realised afterwards when someone pointed it out.

"Anyway, the number 1 only runs through part of Kemp Town. The real Kemp Town bus is the number 7 - and that's purple."

The colour change coincides with an overall revamp of the company's livery.

Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company has opted for a more modern look but, for the most part, the fleet will keep the traditional colours.

Curves are replacing straight lines and buses will be adorned with the slogan Essential Travel For Our City.

There are also a number of dots incorporated into the logo.

Mr French said people have asked whether the dots reflect the piers or even the A27. But he said there was nothing conscious in the design, adding: "It's whatever you want to make of it."

The 220-strong fleet is also being bumped up by a further 18 buses, which cost £2.8 million overall.

It is hoped the new vehicles, complete with new livery, will be on the streets by early next month.

They are being officially launched by Transport minister Tom McNulty on April 2.

The pink buses will emerge soon afterwards.

Mr French said the new livery would not be expensive as the buses were being repainted in-house by resident coach painters Dave Ireland and Tony Nealgrover.

He said: "Companies are often criticised for costly make-overs but our buses will have the new livery done gradually as part of their standard re-sprays."

Buses are repainted at an average of one per week. With more than 200 in the fleet, this means each one has a new coat of paint once every three or four years.

The new design has been created by Best Impressions, a company that specialises in public transport liveries.