A VITAL bus service that links May Hill residents to Gloucester has been extended until the end of August.

Some 40 campaigners signed a petition calling for the 677 Service to continue when it was announced the contract between Gloucestershire County Council and George Young Coaches of Newent – who provides the service – expires at the end of May.

The council has agreed to extend the contract until the end of August.

The twice-weekly service provides a vital link for villagers to shops and services in Gloucester since many residents live some considerable distance from main bus routes on the A40 and there is no bus service at nearby Newent.

Steve Parry-Hearn, Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for the Forest of Dean, said: "I am pleased that the bus service through May Hill has been extended and I hope that local residents will support it so that its future is ensured in the long term.

"The service can be used by young and old alike and those who have no access to other means of transport."

Urban transport manager at Gloucestershire County Council, Alan Barrett, replied to the petition and stated that: "no proposal has been made to withdraw public transport from the communities it serves...although various options have been examined such as providing a feeder service to and from Newent to connect with Stagecoach buses running to and from Gloucester."