EVENING services on the 464 bus route between Accrington and Rochdale have been saved until at least March 2012.

Lancashire County Council decided to withdraw funding for the service, which runs through Whitworth, Bacup, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Rising Bridge, at the end of May.

But last night Rossendale Borough Council agreed to step in to provide around £20,000 to keep the service running.

Rossendale Council had already agreed to temporarily fund the service until the end of this month in the hope that an agreement could be reached with the county council and Whitworth Town Council to also chip in to subsidise for the service.

Rossendale Council Leader, Councillor Alyson Barnes said:"The 464 bus is a lifeline for many residents in the valley allowing them to get to and from work, collage, visit family and friends in hospital and have a social life.

"Talks with Lancashire County Council have unfortunately not come to very much.

"Rossendale Council has been extremely concerned about the effects the removal of the evening service would have on those passengers reliant on the service, the wider community and the local economy so we have decided to provide the funding for this vital service to continue.

The last bus will now leave Accrington at 9.40pm and leave Rochdale at 9.50pm.

Rossendale Bus, which operates the service, said services will operate as now until September when a revised timetable will be drawn up.