A DERBY bus service has become the UK's first to feature free onboard wireless internet.

Trent Barton's Red Arrow service, which runs between Derby, Nottingham and Chesterfield, has undergone a £70,000 refurbishment, upgrading eight buses with full wi-fi, leather seats and two four-seater work tables.

The service was launched yesterday by the Mayor of Derby, with a new bus parked on St Peter's Street for the public to have a closer look at.

Adrian Cadd, brand manager for Trent Barton, said: "We are the first service to feature a wireless service and we fully expect other companies across the country to follow our lead. We are proud to be launching the buses here in Derby.

"Along with the wireless service, the seats and the tables, we've also got air conditioning, meaning people can surf or work on their journey in a comfortable and luxurious environment."

Mr Cadd said the cost of the refit had been absorbed by the company and would not result in any fare rises.

Derby's Mayor, Councillor Barbara Jackson, said it was an innovative move.

She said: "We need to offer people an attractive alternative to cars. It is a great bus and a credit to Derby."

Regular bus user Kevin Reeve, 41, from Alvaston, said: "I think it brings bus travel into a new era with the luxury of a coach but at a bus ride cost.

"If it encourages people to use the bus more, then that's good for the environment. And, of course, it's great that Derby got there first."

Mum-of-three Vickey Clark, 25, from Harrison Street, Derby, said the new look would get her family on the bus more often.

She said: "It looks really nice, now. My kids would love the wireless service, but I like the look of those seats."

Mr Cadd said that expansion of the ideas could spread to other Trent Barton routes.

He said: "If the refurbishment is as successful as we hope, we will definitely consider the other services.

"Last year, we had around 900,000 people travel on Trent Barton buses. We're hoping we'll break the million mark this year."

But not everyone was as enthusiastic.

Vegan Genevieve Griffiths, 19, from Chaddesden, has started an online petition online to stop the firm using leather.

She said: "There are alternatives to leather. It has just resulted in more cruel and barbaric treatment of animals.

"People don't like the idea of sitting on dead animals."