In pictures: Routemaster retrospective

Another familiar London sight - people running to catch a departing bus - will be no more with the withdrawal of the open-backed, jump on-and-off Routemaster.

Many Routemasters are being replaced by articulated 'bendi-buses', which offer improved accessibility to disabled people and parents with pushchairs.

But the buses' demise has prompted a strong backlash from some, with a number of 'Save the Routemaster' campaigns and petitions launched.