A BUS route which is under threat and has been labelled a "vital" service by campaigners will be replaced, according to Dorset County Council.

Last week, The News revealed that Damory had deregistered a host of bus services in the Bridport and Lyme Regis area, including the 40 route, which services Bridport, Beaminster and Yeovil and is used by commuters and hospital patients.

In a statement released to media outlets, the county council confirmed that bus users would have a new service for the route.

Matthew Piles, service director of economy for the county council, said: "The number 40 service is currently operated by Damory.

"They have deregistered this commercial service for their own reasons. The county council recognises that this is part of the county’s strategic interurban public transport network and as such there will be a replacement. This is quite common as operators make their decisions based on commercial requirements.

"There are a number of commercially operated routes in Dorset that are integral to the public transport network that we must make sure are maintained."

Cllr Ros Kayes, who represents Bridport on the county council, told The News last week she was "furious" that councillors had not been told about the potential loss of bus services. Cllr Kayes is now "grateful" the county council will continue to support the 40 bus route.

She said: "I had a confirmation from the cabinet member at DCC that the 40 will be saved because it is on a strategic route.

"I hope DCC will subsidise it so that it keeps a service as regular as the current service and this is what we now need to ask them to do. I'm grateful that they've seen the importance of this vital service."

Damory has deregistered services including the 40, the 71 Lyme Regis town service - as well as the 73, 44 and 210 services.

Andrew Wickham, Damory managing director said: “Damory has operated Route 40 between Bridport and Bridport Hospital as part of a much wider contract from Dorset County Council since 2011. This contract encompassed both college and public bus services across the region. 

"In addition to the council-funded contract, Damory made an addition to this particular route - between Bridport and Beaminster - which we have been running on a commercial basis."

He added: “In 2014, First Bus made the decision to withdraw its service between Bridport and Yeovil, and Damory stepped in to run this route, extending our number 40 operation still further. To support this extension, we receive £40,000 of funding each year from Dorset County Council. 

“Damory’s six year contract with Dorset County Council is due to come to an end on July 23, 2017. In order to withdraw any of our services, we are legally obliged to de-register them - informing the Traffic Commissioner at least eight weeks before they are due to cease. 

“At the time of this cut-off date, we were unaware of Dorset County Council’s decision on the future of bus services here, so we had no choice but to fulfil our legal obligation and de-register them from 23 July, just in case. 

“Our capacity to provide any commercially-funded routes entirely depends on the council’s decision on whether to award us funding for other routes and services here.

‘We understand an announcement on the contract outcome will be made by Dorset County Council on Friday, June 9.” 

Campaigners believe the move has come after Dorset County Council withdraw some subsidies for bus companies.

Bob Driscoll, member of the West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG), said: "The 40 is used by commuters.

"It's virtually an hourly service throughout the day between Bridport and Beaminster and is extended to Yeovil four times a day."