PENSIONERS living in a Preston suburb fear they are going to be left stranded this winter as the bus route near their homes looks set to be axed.

Doris McArdle, 79, of Crownlee, Penwortham, is one of many elderly residents living in retirement bungalows, near All Hallows High School, where Stagecoach's popular 133 service has been running for years.

But now the Preston-based bus company has revealed plans to withdraw the Penwortham to Preston route from November 1 as part of a major shake-up of its services. However, the service, which stops in Birch Avenue, near Mrs McArdle's home, is a life-line to her and her elderly neighbours who claim they would struggle to walk to the nearest alternative bus stop in Cop Lane.

Mrs McArdle, who has two false hips, said: "I'll be cut-off and will struggle getting my shopping, going to the doctor or the hairdressers.

"I feel helpless. It's a terrible blow.

Stagecoach operations manager Maq Alibhai said: "We have seen a shift in patronage of the services. The 132 which runs along Cop Lane operates every ten minutes and is more widely used. We are looking at stopping the 133." Passengers boarding at Tardy Gate, Lostock Hall, will also see a withdrawal of services and Bamber Bridge buses, including the 150, 151, 153 and 154, are being revised.

Mrs McArdle said: "I moved here to be near my daughter, but she is a full-time teacher and I can not rely on her to take me out and about."

Stagecoach has now submitted plans to the traffic commissioner at the Department of Transport who will have the final say on the doomed bus routes.