THE motors that have kept Worcester running for the last 100 years have been celebrated at a special event.

First Group held a celebration of 100 Years of Midland Red in Worcester and Service 144 in CrownGate bus station on Wednesday.

People gathered in the bus station to watch as two buses specially painted in iconic Midland Red liveries departed on their original Service 144 route to Droitwich Spa.

The buses then continued to Worcester Racecourse where a presentation on their history was given, before later making their way back to the city centre.

Deputy mayor, councillor Roger Knight, went along to the event and he said it was a "very interesting experience".

"A man gave a great talk on the history of the service and how much it has changed and developed over the years," he said.

"It also makes you realise how little you know about such an important service."

Midland Red took over the Worcestershire Motor Transport Company bus routes in 1914. In the same year, Worcester and Birmingham were first linked with a regular bus service — the 144 — which still runs today.

Nigel Eggleton, the managing director for First Midlands, said the event also paid tribute to the men and women who had worked on the buses over the years.

"It is they who have done, and continue to do, sterling work, in all conditions, to provide Worcester with its bus service," he said.