A vital bus service between Runcorn and Warrington which was due to be axed tomorrow Friday has been given an 11th hour reprieve, but the public are being urged to 'use it or lose it'.

The No.62 was due to stop running at the end of the week after a decision by Warrington’s Own Buses to scrap it for financial reasons. The move saw a petition launched which was signed by 1,734 people, amid fears both Moore and Sandymoor could lose what was essentially their only direct bus connection.

Halton Council put a call out for new providers, with Ashcroft Travel agreeing to take over and Halton Council providing a financial subsidy.

The service provides a link between Runcorn and Warrington town centres via Grange, Halton Lea, Murdishaw, Norton, Sandymoor and Moore.

Warrington’s Own Buses ran the No.62 for over three-and-a-half years with the council providing a level of financial support. The company made variations to the service, including timetable and route changes, which they said were to ensure it remained viable.

But the company reached a view the service was no longer commercially viable and planned to discontinue it. A move which would have left the village of Moore and Sandymoor with no bus service.

Under Ashcroft Travel, the council said the timetable will remain 'practically the same' - an hourly service will be provided, Monday to Friday (except public holidays) starting on Monday, September 25.

The money to support the route has being allocated on a temporary bases from the Mersey Gateway Sustainable Travel Fund, council chiefs said they hope this reprieve will allow time for the route to re-establish itself on a commercial footing.

The Council will monitor usage of the service operated by Ashcroft Travel and will work with the operator to encourage increased passenger usage.

Cllr Stef Nelson, the council's portfolio holder for transportation, said it is vital that people do use this service to enable it to remain viable.

He said: "This reprieve for the 62 service is good news. The council recognises that public transport is a life line to some members of the community.

"It is also a timely reminder that these are commercial services - so it can be a case of use it, or lose it.”

Runcorn East MP Mike Amesbury also welcomed the move, he said: "Well done to all concerned. A big thank you to local Councillor Mike Ryan who championed the cause. This is a fantastic result for the community!"