Ballymena-based Wrightbus has completed its first delivery of new buses since the company’s acquisition last month by the Bamford Bus Co.

The first 36 units of a 55-bus order were delivered to First Group for use in Leeds, in a deal totalling about £13 million.

The completion and delivery of these buses marks the beginning of a new phase in the history of the Northern Irish bus manufacturer.

Wrightbus’s new owners expect a full production line to be back up and running in the New Year.

Wrightbus chief executive Buta Atwal (www.wrightsgroup.com) said: “The delivery of these buses is a clear signal of our intent to drive forward the business and grow the company.

"With the Government’s recent announcement of a new national bus strategy in 2020, in which decarbonisation will play a key role, we enter an exciting period during which Wrightbus has the opportunity to lead the way — given our track record in manufacturing ‘state of the art’ zero-emission hydrogen buses, as well as electric and hybrid models.

"We are looking to the future with much optimism.”