A VILLAGE bus service has been saved, just weeks before it was due to be axed.

The Yellow Bus 24 service which serves the village of Burton, near Christchurch, will now be run by Morebus on a reduced timetable.

It was axed by Dorset County Council over funding cuts, with the county needing to save £500,000 on their subsidised public transport.

Yellow Buses say they had "no choice" but to make the changes following the withdrawal of funding.

Villagers set-up a campaign group in a bid to start their own service, over concerns the move would leave residents isolated.

But now, from August 8, the revised 24 service from Morebus will link Burton, Christchurch, and St Catherine's Hill, departing hourly from Monday to Friday from 9.18am until 2.18pm.

It will call at Purewell Medical Centre, Christchurch High Street and Christchurch Hospital, also providing connections to Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

The service will be operated on a commercial basis, without any public subsidy.

Cllr David Jones, who represents Burton and Grange for Dorset County Council, said: "I am delighted that Morebus will be providing a revised service, on a commercial basis, linking Burton, Christchurch Centre, and St Catherine's.

"The county council's transport department has worked very hard on behalf of the people of the borough and I would thank my county council colleagues for their support.

"I would also like to thank the county council staff for the hard work and ensuring that this new service, which will not require any subsidy, will commence from August 8."

Burton ward councillor, Colin Jamieson said: "I am grateful for all the efforts David Jones has gone to ensure that we have an acceptable service going forward.

"A lot has gone into these talks to ensure that the village has some kind of service going forward."

All other services on routes 24 and 111 will stop as of August 7.

Christchurch will continue to be served by the 125, X1, X2 1a, 1b and 1c.