BUS users have launched a battle to save a vital service.

Residents living in Breightmet are outraged at proposals put forward by First, which include withdrawing the number 95.

They say that the loss of the service will leave all sections of the community stranded and are calling for the company to reconsider.

Bus user William Gallagher said: "This is the only bus service we have serving this area. We are extremely angry.

Bus company First is reviewing services three services, 95, 553, and 554 in Bolton because it has concerns about the number of people using them.

Options put forward by the company are to leave the services unchanged if passenger numbers increase, amend them or axe them.

The 95 service links Bolton, Breightmet, Radcliffe, Whitefield, Prestwich, Carr Clough and Pendleton via Kersal. If axed residents claim there would be no public transport serving Darcy Lever, The Haulgh and South Breightmet.

Now a petition backed by local councillors is being started in a desperate bid to save the service.

Mr Gallagher, who lives in Beechcroft Avenue, Breightmet, said: "We are being told not to use our cars and if we do we could be charged, yet at the same time public transport is being taken away."

First say they are working with Bolton Council, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and Greater Manchester Passenger Authority to increase the number of passengers using the service, but must make a decision on February 16 in order to provide 56 days of notice of changes for implementation in April.

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton Council's representative on the GMPTE said the loss of all services would be a "disaster".

He said: "We need people to use the service to show First how popular it is."