AS Hampshire County Council is forced to slash its bus subsidy budget by £1.1m, public transport users have made clear their desire to retain a local, if reduced, bus service.

According to the county council, public response to an in-depth review of bus services in light of Government budget cuts revealed that around two-thirds felt it more important for local bus services to be kept running to all areas rather than concentrated on main routes.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.