TWO MPs have praised the success of a bus service which was saved by three councils from being axed ­— with an extra stop added.

The 280 route, from Preston through East Lancashire to Skipton, faced the end of the line after its operator planned to drop it from its timetable last month.

In reaction to Rotala Preston Bus announcing it could no longer operate a commercial service, Lancashire, Ribble Valley and Pendle councils clubbed together to find cash to subsidise a new company to run it. On June 17, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire took over the route, adding a stop in Earby.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: “It is heartening to see this service rescued.

“There have been stellar efforts from borough and county councillors to see the 280 bus service saved.

“It is an essential service linking the heart of Lancashire to Yorkshire whilst serving some of the Ribble Valley’s most populous areas. I have received huge amounts of correspondence from people worried that they cannot reach places of education, their workplace, or their nearest city.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “I am pleased our case has finally been listened to and this much needed direct service to Skipton has been reinstated. Many people in Earby study or work in Skipton and this new direct link will dramatically improve their daily commute.

“Service 280 will now serve Earby five times a day, six days a week in each direction. The new service also provides a direct link from Earby to Preston.”