A BUS company's decision to axe its services between a Herefordshire town and Worcestershire will have a "devastating impact on the community", one passenger has said.

Herefordshire Council confirmed that DRM Bus had said it will cut its two return services between Bromyard and Worcester on weekdays, leaving just a 7.09am outward journey and 5pm return journey by First Worcestershire.

Simon Carter, who regularly uses the services, said it would have a devastating impact on the community, especially for Bromyard residents who work, shop or socialise in Worcester.

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"I use this service regularly and it is used by a fair number of retired people," he said, with buses due to stop from August 6.

"It will also impact those that work part time because they will have no choice but to catch the 7.09am bus and leave on the 5pm, whereas currently they have options throughout the day."

Herefordshire Council said it currently had no funding to subsidise commercial routes.

The service will leave people living in Whitbourne with just one bus a day, which Conservative Party ward councillor Nigel Shaw said would increase "rural isolation".

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“Although I recognise that DRM have difficult commercial decisions to make, the withdrawal of these services increases the rural isolation of residents who live local to the A44 to the west of Bromyard especially those who rely on public transport for surgery and hospital visits," he said.

"I hope that the council will discuss with commercial providers and Bromyard Community Transport options to deliver some level of replacement service."

He said that while the Government plans to introduce a £2 fare cap in October, this would be "of little value if there are no bus routes to use it on".

DRM Bus has not responded to the Hereford Times.