A PETITION has been signed by a number of elderly people worried that they will lose their regular bus service.

The Hereford Times reported last week that the 905 bus ferries residents from Great Western Court across the city centre and stops at the County Hospital and near the railway station.

But the service is due to be withdrawn from August 31.

A meeting was held at the sheltered housing complex in Moorfields on Monday to see what could be done to save the service.

Present was Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Lucy Hurds, Councillor Polly Andrews and Ruth Nice, chief executive of Age Concern UK Hereford and Localities.

Ms Hurds said she will hand the petition to Councillor Paul Rone, cabinet member for roads and transport at Herefordshire Councillor.

She added that she will update Geoff Hughes, council directer for places and communities, about the meeting.

"I have regular meetings with Geoff and last Monday I discussed this route, as well as the 903," said Ms Hurds.

"I am going to try and find out the figures and what the subsidy costs are for the council.

"The residents would have to rely on taxis or people giving them a lift.

"Hospital appointments also rely on that service, especially if people cannot drive."

The 905 currently runs three times a day on weekdays, but residents say that they can cope with just one bus.

Hilary Lewis, scheme manager at Railway Housing Association that manages Great Western Court, said: "Everybody here is over 55 and one person is 95.

"They do not want to lost their independence.

"This service allows them to keep that and their dignity."