MORE than 1,000 residents have put their name to a petition demanding the return of crucial Stourport bus services axed two months ago.

Overwhelming public demand to get the evening routes to and from Kidderminster up and running again led to the petition, which will be handed to bus operator First.

Residents reliant on the service were faced with a "nightmare situation" since the cuts said Wyre Forest district councillor for Lickhill Jill Fairbrother-Millis, who is backing the petition.

She said: "It affects people on so many levels, you can't go shopping at Weavers Wharf or into Kidderminster for a night out."

The cuts came after operator Pete's Travel went into administration, causing chaos for bus users throughout Wyre Forest.

First - the largest bus operator in the UK - took over many of the ailing firm's routes but passed on the 3/3C service from Kidderminster to Stourport and Areley Kings. Now the last bus, during the week, from Kidderminster is at 6.05pm while the last chance to get into town from Stourport is just before 6.30pm.

Fellow Lickhill district councillor Brian Glass said: "We need First to take note of all these people who are not happy about the bus service they are getting in their area. The loss of the service is costing people a lot of money in taxi fares. Stourport needs buses."

But spokesman for First David Maciejewski said the matter would need to be taken up with Worcestershire County Council, which would have to pump extra cash into bringing back the evening service.

He said: "It is not something we are likely to put on as a commercial service, it would just not be cost effective for us. Evening services are generally subsidised."

The petition will be presented to members of the executive at Wyre Forest District Council next Thursday.