HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition protesting against plans to cut two bus services.

The number 10 and 11 buses, which link the Wensley Fold and Corporation Park areas with Blackburn town centre, are being axed from August 17.

Bus bosses say they can not afford to operate the services and also blamed the disruption caused by town-centre building work for the decision.

Now the council’s opposition Labour group has called on the town hall’s political rulers to intervene and bail out the routes with taxpayers’ money.

Coun John Wright, who represents Corporation Park, said at least 400 signatures had been collected on a petition to be presented to council officers at a meeting on Thursday night.

He said: “The response we’ve had to the campaign is overwhelming.

"This is a particular concern for elderly residents, many of whom will be left housebound without the buses.”

One person who signed the petition wrote that their 85-year-old mother would be “housebound” without the bus service, adding: “this cannot be allowed to happen”.

And Janet Phillips, who manages Dixon House home for adults with learning disabilities in Gorse Street, said years had been spent training clients work towards independence on public transport.

She said: “This is a thoroughly thoughtless action and I am disgusted by the decision.

“We are only one example in the area that relies on the service.

"The service users of the home will have their lives completely disrupted by this action and again lose what little independence they may have gained “ The meeting is at Bank Top Learning Centre at 6pm on Thursday.