A POPULAR bus service which was axed leaving pupils stranded has been reinstated thanks to a campaign by children and parents.

School children and their parents wanted the 538 and 539 services running from Bolton to Bromley Cross to be restored after the services were rerouted at the end of May and no longer travelled to Turton High School.

Pupils living in Blackburn Road complained that they had no way of getting to the school in Bromley Cross on time. They handed in a petition demanding their school bus be brought back.

The loss of the service also affected residents living in Bromley Cross, who said they were struggling to travel to the doctors' surgeries and supermarkets.

The campaign led to operators Arriva who said they changed the route for commercial reasons to enter in to talks with Greater Manchester Transport Executive (GMPTE) to provide a link between Bromley Cross and Blackburn Road.

Now, the 563 bus service has been rerouted to operate from Bolton to Edgworth, via Blackburn Road and Dunscar.

Cllr Sufrana Ismail, who helped residents in their campaign said: "I am delighted Arriva listened to the views of young people and I am pleased that the bus has been restored. They lobbied hard for the bus to be brought back."

She added: "I hope in the future Arriva will consult with young people and the wider community before they axe essential services."

Abdul Patel, from Lena Street, said he was delighted a bus was now serving school children.

Mr Patel, whose sons Raiz, aged 16, and Rizwan, aged 14 attend the Turton School, said: "When the bus was cancelled it caused a lot of disruption. I am proud of how the school children took part in the campaign."

GMPTE's Acting Service Delivery Director, Michael Renshaw, said: "Following discussions with Arriva, we are pleased they have responded to passengers' concerns and rerouted the 563 bus service."

John Rimmer, operations director for Arriva North West and Wales, said: "I can confirm that we have re-routed our 563 service to cover the area between Bromley Cross and Blackburn Road, which was previously served by our 538/539 service. Evening services, operated under contract to GMPTE, will also follow the same route."