A pensioner forced to crawl home on his hands and knees after his bus route was axed has spoken of his ordeal.

Royston Pressley, 82, was found struggling to get up a hill with his shopping after the number 15 service was re-routed by Bluestar.

Speaking outside his Netley home, the retired yacht painter said: "I'm not too happy about it.

"It's a bit much taking the bus off us - that's the only way you get to Southampton from here.

"It's essential for going to the shops. It's alright going down, it's the coming back that is no joke."

Asked if he thought Bluestar would restore the route, he added: "I thought they might do, but I doubt it."

Royston Pressley was found crawling home on his hands and knees after the bus service he used was re-routedRoyston Pressley was found crawling home on his hands and knees after the bus service he used was re-routed (Image: Solent News) June Bangs, 81, who found Mr Pressley, added: "I went out to my garden bin and found the poor gentleman on his hands and knees trying to get home.

"When I got to him, he looked up at me and said ‘That hill is going to kill me’."

READ MORE: Pensioner found crawling home with his shopping after Bluestar axes route

Rachel Foulkes, a helper for people in their 80s or 90s, said Mr Pressley stopped driving two years ago and had no family nearby who could help.

She added: "He likes to be independent and go to the shops.

"The bus company said we have walked the walk and it takes seven to nine minutes, but walking back up is really a different experience.

"I understand bus companies have a business to run, but they're still in the area so they could look a tweaking the changes."

A protest meeting was held at Hamble after the number 15 bus service was re-routed by BluestarA protest meeting was held at Hamble after the number 15 bus service was re-routed by Bluestar (Image: Solent News)

As reported in the Daily Echo, Bluestar's decision to re-route the service was raised at a protest meeting attended by more than 50 people.

Referring to Mr Pressley, Mrs Foulkes told fellow villagers: “He's so upset and says Bluestar have tipped his world upside down.

“He can get down to the bus stop on Hound Road but the hill back up on Woolston Road is steep, even for a younger person."

Bluestar's general manager, Richard Tyldsley, said: "For a small number of our customers there is a slightly longer walk, following the omission of Ingleside and Woolston Road, but we have looked very closely at this and made the decision in order to improve the overall route.

"We strongly believe these improvements will develop demand for the route - directly ensuring we are able to continue operating it well into the future."