A crucial bus service has been saved by people who have spent months campaigning to keep it.

Residents and bus users in the Clarendon area of Dover went to several meetings which saw bus company Stagecoach explain why they were pulling out of the route.

It gave 45 days’ notice and said that obstructive parking in the narrow road had caused disruption to the 68 bus.

In some instances it became stuck, causing long delays to the rest of the route.

It was feared that pensioners, mums with small children and vulnerable people could have struggled with daily life if it was axed but, in a U-turn, Kent County Council, Stagecoach and councillors agreed to trial a new route which still included Clarendon.

A revised route picked up and dropped people off at the top of Clarendon Place, so those with walking difficulties did not need to tackle the hill.

A stop is bing installed at the top of Belgrave Road and the bus will run via Westbury Crescent.

Cllr Gordon Cowan, who applied pressure to KCC and Stagecoach to save the service, said: “It has been a long campaign but it’s all been led by the public and it’s been a great success.

“The protest was started by a resident, Mrs Vass, so we have her to thank along with all the other people involved.

“I’m delighted that not only have we saved this vital bus service but there will also be a new bus stop at the top of the hill, which is going to make a real difference to people who have trouble walking.”