Herefordshire Council has stepped in and saved a crucial bus route from reaching the end of the road.

Bus service 487 operates on Tuesdays and runs between Hatfield, Pudleston, Fencote, Brockmanton and Leominster, providing a vital transport lifeline to isolated communities.

It was started in 2002 after the council secured money from the Government's Rural Bus Challenge Fund.

But that funding was due to dry up in July - until the local authority stepped in to save the service.

Now the bus route will continue to operate until next year, when it will be reviewed again.

Monica Southwell, aged 85, of Pudleston, relies heavily on the weekly service for her shopping.

She said: "I'm delighted the service will continue.

"Pudleston is about five miles out of Leominster and if I didn't have this service, I would have to consider moving house - that's how important it is to me.

"I stopped driving several years ago and a lot of senior citizens can't afford a car. I use the bus for shopping but other regulars rely on it for doctors' appointments and hospital visits."

Jim Davies, Herefordshire Council's public transport manager, said: "Given the relatively low use made of the service and the cessation of external funding, the service was proposed for withdrawal.

"Following consultation, a number of representations were received asking for a reprieve on the grounds that hardship would be caused to the mainly elderly passengers.

"The council has since been able to find another bus company able to do the job at a lower price and has identified funding to continue the service until at least February 2006."

In February, the contract for the service will be re-tendered along with a number of other contracts.

The future of the service after that date will depend upon the amount of subsidy required and the funding available to the council.

From July 24, the service will be operated by R&B Travel.

There will be no change to the route or times but a modest increase in fares will be applied.