A VITAL bus service that links Bury and Manchester has been saved after councillors stepped in.

The x35 service takes just over an hour to reach Manchester city centre from Walmersley, stopping along the way in Edenfield, Stubbins, Ramsbottom, Holcombe Brook, Bury, Heap Bridge, Heaton Park and Bowker Vale.

It is a lifeline for workers who board the four Manchester-bound services in the morning and take the four Walmersley-bound services home in the evening.

Bosses of First Manchester, which runs the route, said last week that it was running at a loss, so they had to axe it.

But now they have had a change of heart after commuters and local councillors explained that their decision could cost people their jobs.

Sarah Fielding, aged 24, of Walmersley, said: "It's not always full, but I wouldn’t say it’s empty either.

"If you don't have a car, it's a long way into Manchester and changing buses in Bury would make me late for work, no matter how early I set off, and that would get me the sack."

Ramsbottom councillor Ian Bevan worked with Bury Council's representative on Transport for Greater Manchester's committee, Cllr Noel Bayley, who attended a meeting with First leaders to argue on behalf of residents, and the charm offensive paid off.

First has decided to maintain the route, but with a reduced service.

A First spokesman said: "A revised timetable will commence from September 4.

"The changes, which are subject to final approval from the Traffic Commissioner, will provide two journeys in the Manchester direction in the morning peak, and two journeys in the Ramsbottom/Edenfield direction in the afternoon peak.

"The new timetable will be in place until January, to allow for ongoing discussions to take place on the long-term viability of alternative options that are under consideration."

Cllr Bayley said: "This is terrific news for residents in Bury and those in the north of the borough in particular, for whom the x35 is a vital link to Manchester city centre.

"I'm especially pleased that First has listened to its customers' concerns and we have reached a compromise to ensure that this service will continue to operate in such a way as to bring a benefit to both the bus company and its customers."