TRANSPORT operators across the Isle of Wight and beyond are offering free travel to military personnel and veterans for Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday.

Red Funnel and Southern Vectis are providing free travel on Sunday, November 10, and Monday, November 11, to honour the UK's armed forces.

Wightlink is extending the offer to include tomorrow (Saturday, November 9) and South Western Railway (SWR) is offering free travel on Sunday.

Hovertravel is offering a 20 per cent discount through its HoverForces discount scheme all year round.

The offers are open to both current and past members of the armed forces.

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​Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said: "We deeply appreciate the dedication and sacrifices of our UK Armed Forces.

"This is just one small way we wish to express our profound gratitude for their invaluable service."

Red Funnel's offer applies to travel on both the high-speed Red Jet service and vehicle ferry service.

To claim the offer, passengers must present a MOD Form 90 ID card, a UK Armed Forces Veteran ID Card, a Veterans Rail Card, or a Defence Discount Card at the ticket office.

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Wightlink will allow former members of the armed forces to travel for free on November 9, 10, and 11, across its ports in Fishbourne, Yarmouth and Ryde Pier Head.

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Veterans will need to show relevant ID to port staff.

Sara Howden, Wightlink’s head of customer experience, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming veterans on board our ferries and FastCats to recognise their service."

South Western Railway's (SWR) offer extends to the entire network, including travel to Waterloo, for the National Service of Remembrance, at the Cenotaph.

Free travel is available to anyone travelling in uniform, or able to show appropriate identification.

Peter Williams, customer and commercial director for SWR, said: "Remembrance Sunday is an important opportunity for people, across the country, to reflect on the sacrifices made by generations of service personnel.

"We are pleased to honour this sacrifice by offering free travel to active personnel and veterans attending Remembrance Sunday, and London Poppy Day events."

Southern Vectis is also offering free travel all day on both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, for UK Armed Forces veterans, and those currently serving.

Veterans can board the buses by showing their medals or military ID card.

Andrew Wickham, managing director at Southern Vectis, said: "We hope this will allow them to travel to events or see family and friends."

While these initiatives are in place, customers are reminded to check for any potential disruptions, as engineering works may affect the SWR network on November 10.

For more information on travel, customers can visit the respective websites of the transport operators.