NEIGHBOURS are up in arms following a decision by bus company Arriva to withdraw a vital community bus service because it was not "commercially viable". Two weeks ago Arriva axed the daytime service of bus 37/38, Prescot to St Helens. Angry bus users in Windle claim little or no notice of the change was given.

The removal of the services has effectively stripped residents from Bleak Hill and Burrows Lane of direct access to and from town during the daytime. Only months earlier service 93, which had run for 60 years and followed a similar route, was given the chop.

In order to catch a bus to town residents now have to trek to Rainford Road. Pensioners John and Ruth Harrison are among residents hit by the withdrawal. Mr Harrison said: "This is the first time in many people's lives that there has been no daytime bus through Bleak Hill. It has had a considerable effect on the elderly, disabled or those who have to carry shopping a long way."

Geoff Almond, Labour Councillor for Windle Ward, is concerned at the effect the bus cuts have had on members of the Windle community - particularly the elderly. He criticised Arriva saying: " The regulation of the bus service has been a disaster, cutting off communities from transport into St Helens. The problem is they (Arriva) only want bus services that pay."

On an evening the 37/38 is running, but this has been subsidised by the Merseytravel Passenger Committee.

A spokesperson for Arriva said the services 37/38 and the 93 were withdrawn because the service was making a loss.

"Arriva is a commercial company and it cannot run loss making services which are not financially viable," said the spokesperson.

Arriva also claimed seven days notice was given before the 37/38 service was axed, which was within company policy.