BUS users say they are reluctant to accept assurances that the Marlborough-Swindon number 70 bus service is not going to be cut.

Three weeks ago the Gazette revealed that Stagecoach bosses were planning to slash the service, which is Marlborough's only public transport link with the Great Western Hospital.

More than 600 people signed a petition gathered by Chiseldon campaigner Kath Poynter.

She handed it in at the Civic Offices in Swindon on Tuesday to council leader Mike Bawden.

Mrs Poynter started the petition because of her many Chiseldon friends who use the service.

The bus is the only way many people can get to hospital for appointments or to visit relatives.

Stagecoach said it was being forced to withdraw some of its services because of cuts in subsidies from Swindon Borough Council.

Currently Stagecoach is saying that as Wiltshire County Council has pledged additional funding the buses will not be withdrawn.

In a letter to Marlborough Town Council it said: "The latest situation on Service 70 is that it will not be withdrawn as Wiltshire County Council has provided additional funding.

"Some journeys could have been withdrawn following a funding reduction from Swindon Borough Council. As such there will be no changes until August. At that point a longer term decision will be taken although it is unlikely that every journey will be withdrawn."

Wiltshire County Council said talks were taking place with other bus companies about taking over the service if Stagecoach should cut the number of runs later on.