A campaign to reinstate regular bus services to two villages has received widespread support.

On September 1, Sittingbourne-based Chalkwell cut the number of journeys its number 327 makes through Upchurch and Lower Halstow.

Instead, it increased the frequency of its 326 service which runs along the A2 between Sittingbourne and the Medway Towns.

Bus users argue that stops on the A2 are not a realistic alternative to running through the centre of the villages, which are a mile-and-a-half away.

Bob Quy, 71, a semi-retired accountant who had to give up driving and now relies on the bus, said he had been gobsmacked by the changes.

He told the News Extra: “Very little notice was given, less than a month.

"They have rearranged the timetable to leave out the villages and have given us a much restricted service.

"I’ve had a number of calls from older people in Upchurch and Lower Halstow and they are very upset about it – some were in quite a state about it.

“It really restricts people’s movement outside of the village quite dramatically.”

Mr Quy arranged a public meeting and started a petition to have the service reinstated. It has so far been signed by 200 people.

He said: “We want the old service reinstated. It really hits people who work in London and get the train because the last one from Sittingbourne is just after 5pm.”

A spokesman for Chalkwell said: “The 327 service was altered at the start in September due to insufficient usage from the villages of Upchurch and Lower Halstow, and a greater demand for services along the A2.

“While this did mean a reduced level of service to the villages, Chalkwell still provide buses at key times and have also extended the service to include Gillingham and Mid Kent College, providing greater choices of destinations.

“At present we have no intention of reverting to the old route and timetable.”

Anyone who would like to support Mr Quy’s petition can call him on 01634 365831.

The case has been taken up by Swale county councillors Mike Baldock (Ukip), Lee Burgess (Ukip) and Roger Truelove (Lab).

Cllr Baldock said: “We put a survey out and got 150 back and it’s overwhelmingly older people who moved to a rural area because it had a bus service.

“It’s an ageing population. We had replies from people saying we don’t use it now but we will in the next few years.

“Kent County Council is always on about alternative transport so there’s a responsibility on them to provide a regular service.”

Cllr Truelove said: “The problem with this service is that it will just disappear altogether because people will not be able to rely on it and will seek alternative forms of transport.

“At the same time, others will be stranded.

“It’s particularly important because it’s the route to the hospital.”

Cllr Burgess added: “Even if we can’t get the original service reinstated, anything that’s an improvement on what we’ve currently got would be good.”

The councillors were due to discuss the issue with KCC cabinet member for transport Cllr Matthew Balfour and a meeting with Chalkwell is also due to be held this month.