AN UNDER-THREAT bus route routinely used by hundreds of people to get to Banbury town centre has had its lifeline extended.

The B1 service in the Easington area was set to be axed in the summer after Oxfordshire County Council cut its subsidies as part of £3.7m of savings being made from bus subsidies.

The service was run by Stagecoach which pulled out in June as the route was no longer financially viable, handing it over on a trial basis to smaller Abingdon-based operator Go Ride.

That contract was due to end in November but although Go Ride has decided not to continue, bosses agreed to extend the contract until January 31 after talks with Banbury Town Council leader Kieron Mallon.

Mr Mallon, who represents Easington South on the council, "The service is a lifeline to elderly residents and others who need to get to the town centre.

"I am thankful to Go Ride for stepping in and continuing the B1 even for the short time they have. Without Go Ride this service would have gone already."

He said he was now in talks with 'all sorts of operators' over ways to keep the service going, adding: "Commercial bus companies might not make the route pay but a different type of company or a not-for-profit organisation service may be the answer.

"I am exploring several avenues and will continue to discuss options with other bus and travel providers to try to seek a solution for the residents of Easington."

The B7 bus route, also run by Stagecoach, between Grimsbury and the town centre was axed in June.

The county council-run 504 service to and from Hornton and the 90 to and from Deddington and Upper Heyford also saw their subsidies slashed.