BUS-USERS in Ongar are celebrating this week after it was confirmed that their lifeline service will not be axed.

The Guardian first reported fears over the future of the 46 route from Ongar to Chelmsford in January after the county council refused to confirm its future.

The single decker bus runs three times a day from Ongar through to Chelmsford town centre, it is used by a number of schoolchildren and those commuting to work.

The county council, who subsidise the rural service, faced an angry backlash after they claimed passenger numbers had dropped.

Mr Chris Burn, from Ongar said the service was "vital"

He said: "If it goes people will have to change schools, colleges and jobs- this bus is very heavily depended upon by local people, its used a lot on a daily basis."

A grass roots campaign, including a petition with hundreds of signatures sprung up to save the 46. It seems that people power has won as Essex County Council confirmed that the service will continue but with a new provider and slight changes to the timetable.