AN axed Lyme Regis bus has been thrown a lifeline after the town council stepped in to run a temporary partial service.

Elderly and vulnerable people will continue to have access to essential services when the service 71, Lyme Regis town bus, is scrapped later this month.

Dorset County Council announced in February it would cut bus services in a bid to save £1.85million from its budget.

The county council is withdrawing its subsidy of the 71 bus.

Lyme Regis Town Council has announced it will run a temporary register-to-ride bus service for the summer, until a more permanent and viable solution can be found.

The town council set aside £12,000 in its 2017/18 budget in anticipation of cuts to the service and has now committed up to £4,000 to run the temporary service.

Cllr Cheryl Reynolds, chairman of the tourism, community and publicity committee, said: “Although the service will be available to anyone who registers to ride, it will be especially helpful to older residents and those with limited mobility who rely on the bus to get into town.

“Not only does it allow them to do the essentials, but it also allows them to meet friends, socialise and stay active.

“I must stress this is a temporary solution for the summer, which the council, with the support of LymeForward, has worked very quickly to get in place for July 24, when the town bus service ends, to avoid residents being without a service completely.

“The council is continuing to look at more viable long-term options to secure the future of this essential community bus service.”

It will run between Tuesday, July 25,and Friday, September 1.

The bus, which will be operated by Dorset Community Transport (DCT), will run on Tuesdays and Fridays, with two return journeys from 10am.

Passengers must register to travel with DCT, and book a seat on the 16-seat accessible minibus in advance of travel.

To register and to book a seat, call DCT on 01258 287980 or email dorset@ectcharity.co.uk.

For more information and timetables, you can to attend an information event at Hallett Court, Queens Walk, on Wednesday, July 19, at 10.30am.