PASSENGERS who value a bus service in a Basingstoke neighbourhood are being urged to make their views known as a decision deadline looms over its future.

The final section of the number five bus route, between Popley and Basingstoke hospital, has previously been under threat and at present it is funded by the county council.

Last October, the local authority began to completely subsidise the final section of the route after bus operator Stagecoach announced plans to axe the service.

When the subsidy decision was made, the county said it would keep the service running until July and monitor it closely to decide whether to continue the funding.

With a decision deadline now looming, passengers are being urged to write to the local authority, explaining why they need the service.

Borough and county councillor Jane Frankum, who has been a leading campaigner in the battle to keep the service, said: "We are appealing for people to write to the county council and say why the service is important to them.

"If the passenger transport officer receives enough letters from people who need the service it will show that it is necessary."

Edward Hodgson, commercial manager of Stagecoach South, said the company plans to keep running the route, so long as the county council continues to fund it.

"Unfortunately there are not enough people using this section of the service to cover the costs," he said.

"It is down to the county council but we hope to continue providing the service."

Sarette Martin, press officer at Hampshire County Council, said the county would make a decision on whether to continue the subsidy when the tenders to keep it going had been returned. She also encouraged interested residents to write in.

"If people feel strongly about this issue then writing to the county council is a clear way to make it aware of their opinions," she said.

Hampshire County Council has provided funding for evening and Sunday running of the service since it began five years ago. Anyone wishing to make their views on the Popley service known to Hampshire County Council should write to John Mariner, North East Hampshire Passenger Transport Officer, Environment Department, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UD.