The Number 12 service is to continue under the new deal Pic: Mike Rhodes

A vital bus route for pensioners in a village on the outskirts of Preston has been saved.

The Number 12 service from Longton to Preston, via New Longton, was under-threat due to Lancashire County Council cutbacks.

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Now villagers have struck a deal with Preston Bus to continue the service and ensure they have a direct link to the city.

Longton Parish Council and Preston Bus will contribute to the costs of running the service, which will no longer call at Broadgate.

Preston Bus Managing Director, Bob Dunn, commented: “I am delighted that we are able to continue to operate this lifeline service to Longton and New Longton. With all the bad news for bus passengers coming out of LCC recently, it is fantastic to be able to play a part in this innovative agreement that will see improvements for bus passengers.”

The parish council is to subsidise the service for the first few years, although they hope it will prove commercially viable.

Councillor Graham Gooch, chairman of Longton Parish Council and shadow cabinet member for highways and transport at the county council, said: “This partnership will maintain a vital local bus service for residents in NewLongton and Longton.”

A new timetable is being worked on and Preston Bus said it will see an improved daytime service and is to include a single evening departure on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Preston Bus said the fares for the service would remain the same for those going from Longton to Preston, but fares for short journeys would increase and by less than 20p. The service is due to become cheaper for children as a £1 fee is introduced replacing the current fee which is a percentage of the adult fare.

The county council announced last month it was consulting on removing funding for all subsidised bus services across Lancashire.

Do you use the service? What do you make of the news? Let us know in the comments below