PETER Knight is uprooting hundreds of miles to take over as managing director of Stagecoach operations in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

He currently holds a similar role with the company in North East Scotland and has more than a decade of operational experience with Stagecoach across the UK and in Europe.

When he starts his new job in December, he will be responsible for around 1,000 employees and more than 300 express and local bus services.

Mr Knight said: “I’m looking forward to getting out and about and meeting our drivers and customers, as well as key stakeholders, and continuing our important work to re-build from some of the challenges we have faced coming out of the pandemic.

“I believe there are some great opportunities ahead as we look to move more people out of their cars and onto public transport, and I am determined to deliver a good and reliable bus service for our communities in the South West.”