WEST Somerset pensioners are prepared to sacrifice their bus passes and pay a fare if it will save local services, the Prime Minister was told in a letter this week.

And over 3,000 people – including holidaymakers who came down specially from Birmingham – have signed a petition.

They are protesting against the Buses of Somerset decision to cancel services from October 29, reported in last week’s Free Press.

Three of the area’s remaining four bus services – the number 10 Porlock to Minehead, the number 14 Minehead to Bridgwater and the 101 Minehead town service – face being axed at the end of the month.

Now campaign leader, Minehead county councillor Terry Venner is pressing for the decision to be delayed for three months and urges county council chiefs and transport operators to start public consultations and consider alternative options.

Cllr Venner told the Free Press: “We all know how short money is but what I’m asking the council to do is to work with the bus company on some sort of compromise.

“Everyone I’ve talked to, even those on pensions and fixed incomes, have told me that they would happily pay something rather than lose the buses.

“A bus pass is not valid before 9.30am – you have to pay £2 – and I haven’’t come across anyone who wouldn’t be prepared to pay the regular fare during the day.

“At the moment we are going to end up with the highest proportion of bus passes in Somerset – probably about 15,000 – and no buses. Isn’t that crazy?

“The aim of the campaign is to persuade the county council cabinet to also look at alternative funding and put the services out to tender. It’s not a luxury we’re talking about, it’s a necessity.”

Full story and photos of Saturday’s protest in the Free Press.