CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a new community bus service in Ledbury are delighted after the town council agreed to fund it.

Discussions have been ongoing about a new service running from Ledbury to Ross-on-Wye via Newent for some time.

At a meeting on August 18, Ledbury Town Council voted to give a grant of £24,000 to go towards running the service, which was proposed by Buses4Us.

In addition to the LTC grant, Herefordshire Council and Gloucestershire Council are putting forward a combined £70,000, with Newent Town Council also set to make its own contribution.

It is also hoped Ross on Wye Town Council will also vote to support the service.

The previous 132 bus service from Ledbury was axed in February by Stagecoach.

Buses4Us, a group of residents, bus users and business owners that banded together following the cancellation of the 132, has already helped to launch one new bus service.

The 632 runs a twice-weekly shopper service taking passengers from Dymock, Gorsley and Kilcot to Newent. It started on April 27 - exactly two months after the last Stagecoach 132 from Newent to Ledbury.

Clare Stone, from Buses4Us, said the decision was a step in the right direction, but added there was still "some way to go" before everything could be set up formally.

She said: "It is good news, but there is still a way to go.

"The next step will be for Ross Town Council to vote, they are the last of the three councils.

"If they agree to take part, that will show all three towns are fully supportive and fully behind the plan.

"After that, we would have to put together a full business plan and get it all set up.

"This is hugely important for the town and some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

"On top of that, it is better for the climate and can help people struggling to run a car due to the cost of living.

"Ledbury stands to gain a lot from this, so we are optimistic."