THE cancellation of a daily bus service between two small villages and a town has left pensioners having to 'choose when they are ill', it is claimed.

The number 43 bus between Nether Kellet, Over Kellet and Carnforth was stopped in May.

Now it has been replaced with a service on Mondays, Wed-nesdays and Fridays only and many village people - particularly the elderly - are complaining, says Nether Kellet parish council vice chairman John Harding.

"People are disappointed we live so near to Carnforth and yet can't get a regular bus service. One or two people can't even get to work," he says.

Parish council clerk Michael Watson says the new service is not good enough for the poor, elderly and young residents who cannot afford a car.

"Most people see the doctor in Carnforth. Now people have to choose when they are going to be ill," he says.

Lancashire County Council spokesman Neil Graham says: "The usage was very low. We provide subsidies to bus services where there is a demand but we did an audit and found the figures were extremely low - there was no effective demand and so we have cut the service."

He adds: "It seems that people prefer to go to Lancaster from the Kellets."