THE last bus route between Kidderminster and Birmingham has been saved from heavy cutbacks, to the delight of campaigners.

The 192, which was to have its timetable thinned out from Monday, has been taken on by another operator.

The Birmingham Coach Company intervened to save the route, which operator, First, was to change because of low passenger numbers.

The service will run as part of the firm's Diamond Bus Network, under contract from Worcestershire County Council.

County councillor, Fran Oborski, said users had contacted her "almost in tears" at the prospect of losing the 192 which, under First, made 15 journeys into the city each weekday.

She said: "This is really great news. I have had many residents in touch with me, some almost in tears, because of the hardship which the cancellation of the service would have caused."

The service will not be run exactly the same as before, however.

Bus users in Cleobury Mortimer, Far Forest and Bewdley will no longer be able to stay on the 292, which, under First, became the 192 when it reached Kidderminster. They will instead have to change buses to catch the new 292.

Bewdley resident, Linda Ross, who started a petition opposing the changes, said the takeover was still good news for passengers.

She said: "I am very happy that somebody has taken over the service. Our fears have been alleviated. The response we are getting from The Birmingham Coach Company is extremely helpful so we are very happy."

The timetable changes by First, which would have meant the bus would only serve Wyre Forest pupils going to school in Hagley, was the latest in a line of cuts by the operator because of falling passenger numbers.

Geoffrey Howle, chairman of the Birmingham Coach Company, said he was optimistic the company could run the service on a commercial basis.

He explained: "What we are certain to do is revitalise the service. We strongly believe with the right marketing package we can improve the situation."

The new service will run about once every hour and will follow a slightly different route, by taking the number nine route between Birmingham and Halesowen Bus Station, then the 192 route.

The new service will run from Birmingham to Cleobury Mortimer on Sundays under another operator and a county council spokesman said "discussions are taking place" to make this happen during the week.