A COMMUNITY is celebrating after securing a vital Sunday bus link after several years without one.

The new Sunday winter bus service is now running from Weymouth King's Statue to Seven Acres Road, Preston via Chalbury Corner.

First's number 4 bus route, which previously only ran Monday-Saturday, will now be available from 10am until 4pm every Sunday.

The bus operator, which scrapped the Sunday service a few years ago, is running it again as a trial.

Campaigners are now pushing for more improvements.

Cllr Louie O'Leary, who represents the ward of Littlemoor and Preston on Dorset Council, has been pushing for improved services for some time and is 'delighted' with the changes.

He said: "Following our meeting at the village hall in July, we have made bus provisions a top priority to be dealt with.

"Me and my fellow Preston councillors are delighted to see this improved coverage, but we know there is more to be done.

"We are looking to now push for a new route to cover Sutton Poyntz and other areas of Preston currently left out."

Local resident Christine Hitter was pleased that those living in the area are finally being heard.

"At last, the bus company is listening to what the people want. We have been suggesting this for years", she said.

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Another area that has also seen an increased service is the number 2 bus that runs to Littlemoor, which will now extend down to Chalbury Corner in the evenings.

There will be four buses available from Chalbury Corner at 8.33pm, 9.20pm, 10.07pm and 10.54pm, from Monday to Saturdays, with the Sunday service arriving 10 minutes earlier for each bus.

Dorset Council Councillor Tony Ferrari, who has also been lobbying for improved bus services, is calling for people to support the Sunday service in order for it to continue beyond the winter.

He said: "We are working hard to bring back buses to places that have lost them over the years.

"We need people to support them over the winter, so they are viable on into the future. If these are a success, we will go back to the companies to extend them and bring back more services."

Resident Sue Wormald was particularly pleased with the announcement, stating that it was 'brilliant', as going into town on winter evenings would 'not be pleasant', and she would have to get off at Littlemoor and walk down to Chalbury Corner.

Similarly another local resident, Steve King, believes the changes to the number 2 service 'is a great idea' and was also pleased at having a Sunday service on the number 4 route, stating it was 'great as well'.

James Eustace, First Bus South Director, said: “We are always looking for ways to improve our services and best serve our customers. Following feedback from our drivers and the local community, we’ve made changes to Routes 4 and 2 based on their suggestions. We are trialling these changes over the winter period and will continue to assess passenger uptake of the services over the coming months.”