Herefordshire villagers have expressed concern about the reported loss of their bus service.

Whitbourne is currently served by the 420 service operated by Bromyard-based DRM, which currently stops twice a day each way between Worcester and Hereford, with an extra service to Hereford during college term time.

But chairman of Whitbourne Parish Council Ron James told a parish meeting last week that DRM would withdraw the service to the village from August 6, blaming lack of profitability, difficulty in finding drivers, and the increasing cost of fuel.

Coun Jackie Bromley said: “If we are going to encourage young people into the village, they won’t be able to get to school at 16. We will become a village of pensioners. They can’t just put money into the towns and cities.”

To which ward councillor Nigel Shaw said: “I am pushing for any funding. But if you put money into rural transport, where do you take it from? We have statutory obligations, and can’t just rob Peter to pay Paul.”

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There are schemes in the county however where parishes fund a local bus service, he pointed out.

Among the members of the public attending, Alexandra Bullock said: “We put ourselves forward to have Ukrainian guests, two of whom are in their 30s, the other 16. We said they would be able to go to school or work by bus. This is a body blow for us.”

Coun Shaw added on this: “It doesn’t show us in the best light.”

The parish council agrees to write to both Herefordshire Council and Worcester County Council with their concerns.

DRM was approached for comment.