A special pride-themed bus has been unveiled in London.

The bus – which has been commissioned by Transport for London and Stagecoach London – features an iconic rainbow flag design, that wraps around the front and side of the bus.

It will be in operation from today, and will initially be in service for a year.

It will run on the number 8 route from Bow Church in Tower Hamlets to Tottenham Court Road – passing some of London’s most iconic landmarks.

The bus comes after TfL unveiled a rainbow crossing at Pride last year, also rolling it out at Arsenal and for the beginning of civil partnership conversions.

It also marks the 10-year anniversary of TfL’s LGBT group, OUTbound.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport said: “The rainbow bus is a great addition to the streets of London and is a fantastic way for us to celebrate diversity in this great city.

“London is the tourism capital of the world and it is fantastic that everyone who lives, visits or works in London will have an opportunity to see this bus while it’s in service. It’s a fantastic commitment by Stagecoach to sponsor the wrapping of this bus.”

Martyn Loukes, Chair of OUTbound, added: “Following on from the fantastic success of the rainbow crossing last year, we wanted to create a new LGBT icon for London.

“What could be more iconic than a big red bus with the rainbow flag emblazoned on it, celebrating diversity and 10 years of our LGBT+ network at TfL. Hop on board and Ride with Pride.”

Mark Threapleton, Managing Director for Stagecoach London said: “We’re delighted to be able to support this important TfL project by wrapping one of our iconic buses for the year.

“This will be a travelling advertisement, spreading the message of diversity to the hearts of our communities and to visitors from across the world. We look forward to the bus raising a smile and awareness wherever it goes.”

Stagecoach Chairman Brian Souter campaigned for the retention of Section 28 in Scotland. One of the largest donors to the SNP, last year he said : “[I support] the traditional marriage-based family, and I’m afraid that stance gets interpreted as being homophobic.

“You get labelled when you express a view, or you are honest and some people will label you. But only those who don’t know you.”