After swotting up on everything Bristol, newly qualified guides on the city's open top bus service graduated in style at the city's Mansion House.

Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Christopher Davies, presented certificates at his official residence to new guides who have to learn about the city's history to a very high standard.

This year the City Sightseeing open top service has carried even more passengers after increasing the number of trips it operates by a third and introducing some new services, including joint tickets with the ferry service in the docks and discounts for rail travellers.

Warwick Hulme, managing director of Rubicon Classic Enterprises, which runs the service, said: "This summer we've had a massive increase in the number of foreign visitors, so the importance of our guides achieving quality standards cannot be over-emphasised.

"Every member of our team shares a genuine concern for the convenience and enjoyment of the visitor to leave them with a lasting memory."

The open top operation has a total of three dozen qualified guides and a team of seven drivers providing a seven-day-a-week service.

The four new guides receiving certificates last night were Phil Rowlands, George Locker, Jacqueline Aslan and Mary Greenman.