DORCHESTER Town Football Club has issued a statement reminding motorists that the council run park and ride service running from the Avenue Stadium is due to be withdrawn next week.

The club has stated that it will continue to offer parking at the stadium and people will be able to catch a bus from existing stops in Weymouth Avenue.

It was revealed in May that the park and ride service was due to cease as West Dorset District Council had decided not to renew its least of the stadium car park.

A statement on the club website said: "As from July 31 2016 there will no longer be a Council run park and ride service running from The Avenue Stadium.

"The club will offer parking at the stadium for £1.50 per day, payable by cash upon entrance.

"Due to the costs involved the club will not be operating a bus service from the stadium.

"Weymouth First Bus Group will offer a weekly bus pass for £6 using the bus stops already in place on Weymouth Avenue, these can be purchased on the bus.

"Please note the club will not have any involvement in bus passes.

"At this point we will not be offering monthly or annual parking permits, however this will be reviewed if demand is sufficient."

Dorset County Council, which provided the weekday shuttle bus service between the football club and County Hall said it had found the service unaffordable after reviewing operations and therefore agreed to stop the service.

When the decision was announced Mike Harries, Dorset County Council’s director for environment and the economy, said: "The park and ride has been popular with regular users and has helped in part to reduce congestion in the town, especially along Weymouth Avenue.

"However, regrettably, too few people have chosen to use the service to make it viable and with the lease coming to an end it is no longer practical to continue it."

The football claimed that, despite the council's claims, the service was well used with surveys showing approximately 200 cars were using it on a daily basis, rising to 300 on a Wednesday during the summer period.

When the withdrawal was announced, the service had 110 season ticket holders and around 50 more regular daily users.