A bus company has reversed its decision to cancel a route linking a village with a town centre.

After announcing last week that it was to end its number 78 service from Queen's Road in Barming to Maidstone town centre, the Nu Venture bus company has had a change of heart.

Responding to concerns from residents that they would be denied the means of going into town, the company has announced that from Monday, October 24, there will be a single bus service each day linking the area with the town centre.

It will be leaving Queen's Road at the junction with Shaftesbury Drive at 9.56am weekdays and return from King Street at 11.52am.

It will operate as part of Nu Venture's existing bus services 79A and 79C which serve the Palace Wood and Allington areas.

Cllr Stuart Jeffery (Green) said: "The 78 was a key service to many people in the Queen's Road area.

"At least now they will have some access to go shopping in town or meet their friends. We're grateful to Nu Venture for responding in this way."